About
Founding Family
My name is Mellissa, and together my husband and I have 6 beautiful kids. (ages 9 to 23) The two of us grew up vastly different, but met each other with the same passion... to bring the gospel to the young people around us. In 2022, we stepped back from our careers in education and construction to pursue that deeper calling.
The plan was to use some of our profits from our brand new business, Servant's Heart Plumbing to open a rec center for the youth in our area. Little did we know, that original 10 year goal would happen almost instantly... in the form of a school.
We started Servant's Heart Leadership Academy with 9 students that year. Three years later, we are teaching, mentoring and helping 47 students and countless families.
Servant's Heart Leadership Academy was born from the belief that God created each child unique and in His image. Our heart is to create a space where students can come and learn the way they learn best while being loved and nurtured under the Word of God.
core values
ConnectION
Connect with families who desire to invest in their child's future
Education
See families and culture flourish through quality Christian education
LeadershiP
Equip children for a life of resilient faith and selfless servant leadership
Mission:
Servant's Heart Leadership Academy provides a Christ-centered learning environment in which students can thrive spiritually, academically, and socially.
Vision:
Servant's Heart Leadership Academy will equip and train the next generation to follow Jesus’ example of selfless, sacrificial servant leadership in all areas of life!
How:
In partnership with parents, Servant's Heart Leadership Academy recognizes and develops the unique characteristics of individual students through rich academic, co-curricular, community service, and spiritual life programs to prepare them to fulfill God's purpose for their lives.
published Articles
Article by Dalena Wallace,
founder of Heartland Education reformation Org.
Article by Amber wineinger
Assistant principal of Sam houston stem academy
Team
Meet the team
Between the staff, volunteers, and board of directors, our students have an immense amount of knowledge and expertise surrounding them. Take a minute to learn a little about our amazing team at Servant's Heart Leadership Academy!
Founder / Director
English Language Arts and Reading 5th-6th
Mellissa Mendoza
Mellissa has been working in education for over 10 years. She holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from UT Tyler and has been certified to teach Early Childhood through 6th grade. She has worked with upper elementary and teens in church settings for over 9 years and has a passion for Christian education, community service and music.
President
John Mendoza
John is the owner of Servant's Heart Plumbing where he holds a Masters License with the state of Texas. He has served as youth pastor, and connections pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City, Texas and currently runs operations for our Servant's Heart Leadership Academy service projects.
Administrative Assistant
Kimberley Littlejohn
Kimberley has an Associates of Arts from Trinity Valley Community College. She has valuable experience in office management and accounting. Kimberley is the backbone of SHLA!
Administrative Assistant
Dewetta
crow
Dewetta worked for 13 years at Eustace ISD in various aide roles and continues to assist teachers and children in a meaningful way today at SHLA.
Kindergarten / Curriculum Specialist
Shelbi
Mittenthal
Shelbi received her BS in Psychology in 2017 and worked in schools, day cares and other classroom settings for 4 years. After teaching kindergarten for 2 years in public school, she became fully certified to teach Early Childhood - 6th grade. Shelbi is now finishing her Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at East Texas A&M University.
1st/2nd Math & ELAR
Casey Skinner
Casey has a Bachelors of Science degree from SNHU with 3 years experience as an Early Childhood - 6th grade teacher and has personal experience with special needs children. Casey serves in children's ministry at Grace Community Church in Mabank, Texas.
Math 3rd - 6th
Jamie Knight
Jamie has a Bachelors of
Applied Arts and Sciences from Texas A&M University-
Commerce. She has been in children's church ministry at Liberty Baptist Church for 6 years, and has previous experience in pediatric nursing.
Physical Education
Jessica Jones
Jessica served our country in the Marines for 8 years, where she developed foundational leadership skills and
core values. Being involved
in Children’s Ministry deepened her calling to teach kids. Jessica is currently finishing her Bachelors Degree in Education.
Teacher Assistant
Laci smith
Laci teaches Life Group class for elementary school at Liberty Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City. She has a passion for working with children and serving everyone around her.
Teacher Assistant
Brooke Kennon
Brooke works at Grace Community Church in Mabank, Texas, as the Children's Ministry Director. She has a passion for teaching children who Jesus is and how to be more like Him.
Board of Directors
Lisa knight
Lisa has been the Children's Ministry director of Liberty Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City for over 25 years. She has a vision to see the gospel preached to the youth of our community.
Chapel Director / Apologetics
JOhnny Davis
Johnny and his wife serve as youth pastors at Liberty Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City. Johnny is the director of all chapel services at SHLA. He also teaches Apologetics to grades 7th - 12th. Johnny and his wife have a passion for seeing the gospel reach young people in our community.
Wilderness Survival
James jones
James grew up in Washington state hunting, fishing and enjoying the outdoors. After meeting his wife in the military, they decided to move to Texas to raise their children. In 2016, the Lord revealed to him the glory of His salvation and gave him the desire to start making disciples. James enjoys sharing the beauty of God's creation and design with our students in his Wilderness Survival Class.
Board of Directors
Jose VIllarReal
Jose is a Deacon at Liberty Baptist Church as well as a Technical Sales Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean. Jose has earned 2 Masters degrees in business, along with other degrees and currently owns 14 U.S. Patents.
Board of Directors
Joe Mendez
Joe is a Master Mason who owned a custom stone business for many years before surrendering to the ministry. He is now the Lead Pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Gun Barrel City. He has served God faithfully since he was reborn in December of 1998.
Board of Directors
Aaron Hernandez
Aaron is the owner and operator of A.A.H. Construction in Gun Barrel City, where he focuses on the heart of the men that he employs so that they can be in alignment with the call that men have been biblically given, to lead well in their personal lives and homes.
Board of Directors
Joanna Burdge
Johanna has been a Special Education teacher for 35 years. She is currently teaching at Eustace I.S.D. with children ages 3 – 18. She serves children through work programs as well as being a foster parent for the last 25 years.
Board of Directors
Rachelle Gammon
Rachelle has been a 4th grade math teacher at Mabank I.S.D. for 7 years. She earned the teacher of the year award for the 2021-2022 school year. She has a great passion to not just educate, but develop and grow relationships with her students. She now works for Eustace ISD.