Meet the agape Team

  • EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/CO-FOUNDER

    Rachelle Rawson is a wife and mother to six children. Before serving at Agape she worked with at-risk youth in the Juvenile Justice system for Siouxland Youth for Christ. She is passionate about improving Siouxland and helping families heal from trauma. She has been in recovery for nine and a half years herself. Rachelle is a succeess story herself, having competed a program like the one Agape will provide.

  • BOARD VICE PRESIDENT/CO-FOUNDER

    I was born and raised in Sioux City and lived here most of my life. I have 4 wonderful sons, 3 stepsons and an amazing husband. I work at Sunnybrook Community Church in their Hope Center and get to spend my days helping people. My faith in God has delivered me from the worst of situations and has given me love and purpose in this life.

    Starting in high school I began using substances and continued until I ended up federally indicted for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine on July 3rd, 2012. During my pre-trial release and during my stay in prison, I was lucky enough to go through some advanced treatment programs and have been clean since my indictment.

    In prison, I went through a program called RDAP. As I went through the program, I thought two things:

    1. Why do you have to go to federal prison to get this level of treatment? It should be available the first time someone seeks help; and

    2. Cognitive behavior therapy is clearly aligned with the biblical concept of renewing your mind but in prison they are not allowed to talk about God.

    I am involved because after 18 years in that life, I have seen so many people lose hope. I know this program works and I know our community is suffering. I want every addict to know change is possible and we will not give up on them.

  • BOARD TREASURER

    Heidi Day is a board member of Agape Community Services. She is involved with Agape to do her part to break the cycle of addiction. She wants people to experience a purpose filled life, for them to know they are loved beyond measure, and to realize they have value.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Mother of three children and grandmother of three grandchildren, she is currently serving as secretary to Iowa state senator and husband, Kevin. Ngu has served in many volunteer, ministry and leadership positions with organizations including Youth for Christ, Siouxland Soldiers, her church, politics as well as public speaking. A true servant leader, she is inspirational, innovative and is resolutely committed to her family.

  • BOARD PRESIDENT

    I lost my brother-in-law to a drug overdose; so, I believe in and give towards Agape Community Services so that men can be set free from addictions and live the life that God intended for them. My goal is to see individuals, marriages and families in Siouxland transformed through Agape's Christ-centered curriculum and treatment program.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    John Baker is the CEO at CW Suter Services. John leads a team of over 200 employees in inspiring and delivering innovative HVAC and Plumbing solutions to their customers. John started his career at CW Suter over 34 years ago.

    John has his Bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University and his Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. He and his wife, Kris, live in Sioux City, IA. John has two kids and two grandchildren. John enjoys fishing, golfing, and being with family in his free time.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Doug and his wife Alicia relocated to the Siouxland area in 2019 from Omaha, NE to “do life” with their daughter Carli, son-in-law Rogelio and their now 3 grandbabies, Mia, Rogelio III (we call him Tres 😊) and Mateo. Doug has served in Senior/Executive Management in Business Development role for 30+ years. Doug is most passionate about his faith, family and serving others – “Love God & Love People!” He is a recovering alcoholic and intimately understands the grips of addiction and the freedom of recovery through his relationship with Jesus Christ. His passion for leadership (especially in men), reconciliation and healing for hurting people is his “why” for joining the Agape team. 

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Jason a full-time Realtor with Century 21 ProLink and serves as the representative from Sioux City First Church on the Agape board. Jason is a lifelong resident of Sioux City who just celebrated 22 years of marriage to his wife and has three awesome children with ages ranging from 17-21.

    Jason was invited to join Apape by Heidi Day & Co-founder Shelly Rawson after meeting with them where they shared the vision of the organization. Seeing the bold vision, and the large need, Jason realized that his skills and background could be a great fit for this board.

    Jason’s heart stirs to want to see men, especially fathers and husbands, be able to remove the chains of addiction that bind them so that they can fulfill the calling God has for them to be servant leaders. That servant leadership will be evident through their relationships with their wives and children and can profoundly affect their communities and churches for the better. Jason has seen the blessing that Godly men can bring to their families, and he wants to see hope come alive for the families of these men.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Chris has been married to his high school sweetheart Kristi for 32 years, has four beautiful daughters, and 2 adorable grand-daughters. Chris officially lives in the estrogen ocean!

    Chris is the senior Pastor of Elevate Community Church and has seen first-hand the detriment that addiction has had on so many lives, families and our community. He believes it is the number one issue facing our city. He also believes that the main issue facing our country is the absence of fathers. Chris is so excited to be a part of the mission of Agape to see men freed from addiction and equip them to step up and be the Godly men that our country, our city and their families need.

    A faith-based recovery center is what is missing from the landscape of needs in our community and we really believe that it is the answer that will bring so much hope to so many! Grateful to be a part of this life changing vision for Sioux City!

  • BOARD SECRETARY

    My name is Cyndi Nelson and I have been in the Siouxland area for about 20 years. I have a background in social work, but I currently spend my time slinging coffee at my coffee shop in Sergeant Bluff, Hawks Coffee Shop. Through my work with Child Protective Services, I saw the gap in services in our community for those struggling with addiction, especially for men. I am involved with Agape to help do my part for our community, so that children and families in our area aren't devastated by the impact of mental health and substance abuse issues and the cycle can be broken.