Our Story

On a Thanksgiving Day run in 2010, God planted the seed of a starting mental health service ministry. The voice of God has never been clearer to me as it was on that day. The idea of Wild Hope has been evolving ever since. 

At the time, I was a first-year student at Western Seminary in Sacramento, CA, studying Marriage and Family Therapy. By that time in my life, I knew my mission was to counsel others in the name of Jesus Christ. However, my counseling philosophy was fully formed by getting to know Dr. Glen Snyder, my pastor at First Baptist Church in Davis, CA, who was also my Old Testament Professor at Western. Dr. Snyder’s core message was:

“God loves you just the way you are, but too much to keep you that way.” 

Think about that for a minute. God loves you just the way you are. This statement is the very definition of Grace. God knows your thoughts, your heart, your desires, and your struggles. And in spite of your imperfections, He still loves you just the way you are [see Psalm 139]. God loves you, but he wants more out of you because He knows you were made for more. God wants us to grow and evolve. And He wants us to use the power of His grace to impact ourselves and others. 

Just the way you are, but too much to keep you that way. This is where the rubber meets the road at Wild Hope. Our primary goal is to be an agent of change by guiding and supporting others in experiencing the lives and relationships that God intended us to have—lives that are satisfying, filled with hope, allow for healing, and strive for purpose.

This journey started over a decade ago and the driving force of Wild Hope has and will continue to be a desire to serve God and seek His will. Whether you are someone in need of care or someone who believes in our vision, we invite you to come along on this journey. For Wild Hope to be successful, it will truly “take a village.” If you would like to reach out, please complete the contact form.

Blessings,
John Moore, MA, LCMHC
Founder/Counselor 

 
 

MISSION & VALUES

Mission Statement: Our mission is to guide individuals, couples, and families into cultivating the kinds of lives and relationships that God intended us to have—lives that are satisfying, filled with hope, allow for healing, and strive for purpose.

After all, we take our cue from the Giver of Life:

“…I have come so that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.” - John 10:10

Statement of Faith: There is only one true God who is the eternal King, Creator, and Redeemer of all that is. He is perfectly holy, just, loving, and truthful. He has revealed Himself to be eternally self-existent—one being in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. On earth, Jesus was 100% God and 100% man. He is the only man ever to have lived a sinless life. He was born of a virgin, performed miracles, died on the cross for mankind and thus, atoned for our sins through the shedding of His blood. He rose from the dead on the third day according to the Scriptures*, ascended to the right hand of the Father, and will return again in power and glory.

*The Bible is the inspired and only infallible and authoritative Word of God.

All Are Welcome Here. Wild Hope strives to demonstrate intentional grace and acceptance to everyone. As a key part of that commitment, we will not tolerate discrimination against any child of God, including discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, ability, religion, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

 
 

LEADERSHIP

Moore Family

John Moore

Founder/Counselor

  • Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Western Seminary, Sacramento, CA, 2013

  • Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (Active North Carolina License)

  • Member American Association of Christian Counselors

  • Appalachian State University - BS Communications, Advertising 2001

As a mental health counselor, my calling is to be an advocate of transformation, renewal, and reconciliation by providing competent care for those who are suffering as a result of crisis and trauma, while maintaining a spirit of social justice with the ultimate goal of glorifying God by yielding to him as Lord and Savior, in action and in deed.


Jonsie Evans Moore

Founder

  • Advancement Professional with extensive and diverse experience in non-profit development/fundraising, strategic planning, marketing and communications, volunteer and project management, and event design.

  • Sewanee: The University of the South - BA Economics

I am passionate about connecting human needs to empowering resources to positively impact my community. Through 10+ years of resource development work in educational, faith-based, and non-profit organizations, I have seen the power of generosity transform lives—for both the receiver and giver! 

When John and I met in 2016, we quickly discovered a mutual love for Western North Carolina and a shared passion for social justice. Many years earlier, God had placed on each our hearts a call to serve vulnerable populations and give them a reason to hope. We knew that God had brought us together for a reason. 

Mental illness has challenged several generations in my family. I myself have struggled with anxiety and depression—masked by external achievement and unvoiced inner turmoil. I felt guilty for my “bad” feelings, because so many others faced obstacles much greater than mine. I had everything I needed as far as physical resources, access to an excellent education, an active social life, and spiritual support through my church and Young Life. But no one ever told me that “it’s OK not to be OK.” 

Years later, as I witnessed one of my family members bravely and candidly battle mental illness and addiction, I realized that we all have different struggles; we all have our own time in the “wilderness.” And we owe it to ourselves and our family and friends to share our experience. It takes courage and strength to admit we need help. But that’s one of the first steps of becoming a follower of Jesus Christ—admitting we are not holy, not whole, and unable to have a fulfilling life apart from God. 

Jesus came to rescue the lost and hurting, and it’s the mission of the Church to be his disciples and bring others into relationship with God. In order to do so, we must create a environment where people feel comfortable to share their brokenness and a community where they can find hope and healing.

One of the greatest challenges of mental illness may be its invisibility. What if we, as Christians, shine a light into the darkness and bravely walk alongside one another, with Jesus, through the wilderness. We can create a Church where people experience belonging, peace, and joy, even in the midst of pain and struggle. Let us give others a reason to have Wild Hope!