Meet The Team!
Hope Seeds relies on thousands of volunteer hours to carry out the mission. Volunteers contribute in many ways and are the most important members of our ministry team. Volunteers play a vital role in packaging seeds; the assembly of Hope Garden Family Packs with the gospel message; school, church, and community events; office work; mailings; fundraising; working in Hope Gardens, etc. We are exceedingly grateful for our volunteers!
Volunteers
David Balsbaugh
CEO
Maxine Balsbaugh
Executive Assistant
Carmen Villalba
Operation Coordinator
David is originally from Ohio. He has served with nonprofit organizations in missions, international development, and education for more than 30 years. Organizations such as Nazarene World Mission in Malawi and Mozambique, Africa, HEART Missionary Training Institute with Warner Southern College, Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization in Fort Myers, Florida, and Love a Child in Fond Parisien, Haiti. Dave has a Bachelor's degree in International Agriculture and Community Development and a Master's in Nutrition. Dave has pursued serving people in sustainable ways while sharing his love for Christ.
"I'm humbled to serve with an organization focusing on sharing the hope and love of Jesus Christ with those who hunger."
Maxine is from St Petersburg, Florida. After serving on short term medical missions in Guatemala, Maxine completed a Bachelor's degree and worked in medical billing and Christian Education. Maxine also served with Dave as a missionary in Haiti with Love a Child and worked in the nutrition clinic at the Jesus Healing Center, the medical depot, and with food distribution.
"It's an honor to serve alongside my husband and so many dedicated volunteers sharing Christ's love with so many people around the world."
Carmen was raised in California and Arizona and graduated from Colorado College with a degree in Organismal Biology and Ecology. During her time in college, she participated in various plant ecology research programs, served in campus ministry, and was a counselor at a Christian summer camp. Her love for people, plants, and Jesus brought her to Hope Seeds as the 2023 summer intern. She now serves as the Operations Coordinator.
“It is so exhilarating to see what God is doing at Hope Seeds. In a broken and hurting world, Hope Seeds really does bring hope by sharing the Gospel and providing quality seeds. I am humbled to have the privilege of serving, in a small way, the King who saved me.”
Gareth Olson
Garden Manager
Gareth is from Minnesota. Gareth came to FL by way of the Navy. After being discharged from the military, he began his 38 year teaching career in high school choral music. While teaching, he also served as a music director in two local Bradenton churches. Although retired from teaching, he currently serves as an accompanist at the piano and organ and continues his 45+ service as a piano tuner/repairman. Gareth enjoys gardening and happily has taken on the job of caring for the garden boxes and landscaping at Hope Seeds campus.
“We are happy to serve together with the dedicated staff and volunteers at Hope Seeds to meet the needs of the lost and hungry around the world!”
Mike Sullivan
Ministry Development
Mike was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Mike received a Business/Marketing degree from Samford University in 1970 and was hired by Procter and Gamble upon graduation and worked in sales and marketing for 21 years. Mike became Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization's first Development Director and was part of their team for 15 years. Mike then served with Love a Child where he helped develop a new sustainable agriculture ministry for the people of Haiti to create jobs and increase food security.
"I believe that God has prepared me with unique skills and experience to be a part of the team at Hope Seeds to continue to share the Gospel of Christ and the lifesaving ministry of seeds."
Please keep Hope Seeds Team in you prayers as we work together to sow seeds of hope in Christ!
About Hope Seeds
Hope Seeds is a Christian ministry which provides quality garden seeds to a hungry world through missionaries and mission teams to help feed the whole person — body, mind, and soul. Learn More
Stories
Read testimonials from people whose lives have been changed by the work of Hope Seeds. Read Stories
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