Staff and advisors
Brian Koehn, Spiritual Director
Brian has been a catalyst in numerous Christian enterprises throughout his vocational journey. From helping shape a major megachurch in its infancy—now impacting thousands of families—to contributing to one of the top church-planting organizations, Brian’s most meaningful accomplishment, he would attest, has been taking the inward journey with himself and God. Now a certified spiritual director, he is passionate about guiding others to notice the God who has always been noticing them. Schedule@Calendly.com/ebkoehn.
Lesley Koehn, Children’s Minister
Storyteller. Puppeteer. Reading Specialist.
A certified Godly Play practitioner with extensive experience in children's ministry, Lesley serves as the Children's Director at Hope Community Church. She holds degrees in Elementary Education from Wheaton College and a Master of Arts in Teaching and Curriculum from Michigan State University with certification as a Reading Specialist. Trained in Orton Gillingham methodology, she has worked as a Reading Specialist both in Detroit Public Schools and as a private tutor with children who struggle with dyslexia and dysgraphia. As a Children’s Minister, she has been devoted to creating spaces for children to explore their relationship with themselves, the world, others, and God through story, wondering, and play. She is currently working towards receiving certification as a Play Therapist through Oakland University which will additionally equip her to engage children via play and puppets in understanding, communicating, and regulating emotions as well as processing traumatic events.
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Taleshia Moss, Occupational Therapist
Focus on brain development, trauma, and neuroplasticity
Born out of healing from her own adverse childhood, Taleshia is a registered occupational therapist with a strong desire to provide high-quality, robust care to children and families. Her love for children led her to study and research brain development and sensory processing to promote neuroplasticity or rewiring of a child’s brain. Her unique approach utilizes a trauma-informed lens that is play-based and child-led, meeting each child where they are developmentally, cognitively, and emotionally. She firmly believes that each child is created for a purpose and has the potential to lead a productive and successful life when provided with proper interventions such as love and community. She is certified in sensory processing and received rigorous training from the Star Institute in Colorado. Taleshia has practiced in skilled nursing, home health, schools, and outpatient pediatrics. She is a Detroit native, who earned her Master's of Occupational Therapy from Wayne State University. Taleshia oversees pediatric therapy for Shalom Ministries.
Pam Pangborn, Theological Advisor
Focus on theology, healing care, attunement
​Pam brings a wealth of experience in pastoral ministry and formational counseling. She just concluded a 16-year tenure as a pastor at Hope Community Church in Detroit, an urban faith community deeply committed to seeing and experiencing the power of transformation through God’s love. Pam is committed to building authentic, life changing communities with other followers of Jesus that become a pathway for healing and wholeness within the church. She holds a Doctor of Ministry in Formational Counseling with a focus on attunement and serves as Director of Pastoral Care for Rooted Pastors.
Christa Raju, Operations Director
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Christa has worked for the past 20-plus years at Wayne State University in Detroit. Before leaving in 2025 to seek more hand-on initiatives, she was the Director of Creative Services for Wayne State. She believes the mission of Shalom Ministries is a perfect blend of theology, behavioral wellness and community, all wrapped up in the love of God. She is resident of East English Village in Detroit. She loves Jesus, her family, and her 100-pound baby dog, a Rottweiler named Bennie.
Chris Ratcliff, Founder
Chris is the lead pastor of Hope Community Church in Detroit, MI. A former collegiate athlete, he played football at Wayne State University while earning his B.A. in Communication Studies. He later pursued his M.A. in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at Moody Theological Seminary. He has been accepted to Western Theological Seminary to pursue a Ph.D. in Spiritual Formation and Relational Neuroscience. He is also on the Detroit Community Health Advisory Board. He and his wife, Amanda and their four children live in Detroit, MI. See Chris’ story for more about his personal journey.