SCOTT HIGHBERGER 

President

 

For twenty-two years, Scott lived a life far beneath God's calling for his life. Ultimately, he surrendered his heart to Christ while incarcerated in 2005, and he was never the same. Scott and Donna K. Rice partnered to write Scott’s book, Behind the Wire: A Prisoners Journey to the Pulpit. Scott distributes copies of his book throughout the prison system as a resource to help prisoners break free from destructive cycles.

 

After several years of full-time church ministry in 2021, Scott & Dannielle stepped out in faith to fully serve God's vision for BTW Ministries as a prison ministry and addiction treatment center. Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in Ministry Leadership from Grace College and he holds a master’s degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from Wheaton College.

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DANNIELLE HIGHBERGER 

Treasurer

 

Dannielle is Pastor Scott's wife, she is the co-founder and program director of Behind the Wire Ministries. She is passionate about serving the incarcerated and those in destructive lifestyles. She has over ten years of ministry experience and holds a B.S. in Human Services from Grace College. She is currently pursuing a master’s in ministry counseling at Grace Theological Seminary. Dannielle enjoys creating curriculum and teaching. Dannielle grew up on her family’s dairy farm in rural Ohio. She has three children, Samantha, Tabitha, and Ryan. She enjoys baking, reading, thrifting, and watching history documentaries with her dog Pepper in her free time. 

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PHIL ALESSI

Officer

 

Phil has served with Novo Mission for the last 20 years, focusing on igniting and impacting disciple-making movements. A key has been mentoring inmate leaders who have helped to disciple thousands of their fellow inmates and their families on the inside and outside.  Phil is ordained with the Evangelical Free Church of America, and has pastored, planted churches, and provided leadership to church planting movements. He also taught at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for 5 years.  He and Ruthann who recently celebrated their 50th Anniversary have four adult children and seven grandchildren.  Both found Jesus outside the church as teens and have been reaching others beyond the church ever since.

  

 

DAVID BREWER 

Officer

 

David along with his wife Deborah founded Revival in Prison Ministries (RIPM) in 2007 while employed with the Indiana Department of Correction, the ministry provided Christian church services at two central Indiana prisons. After retiring in 2011 RIPM was incorporated as a nonprofit organization and conducted its first tent revival in prison. Over the next 8 years, the tent revival ministry grew to serve 10 Indiana prisons where the Gospel was shared with 2000-2500 incarcerated men and women each summer. In 2020 RIPM decided to partner with Behind the Wire Ministries so the tent ministry would continue upon their retirement.

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DAMIAN HOLSWORTH

Officer

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Damian has been dedicated to helping men struggling with addiction since 2005. Over nearly 20 years, he has served in various recovery-focused roles, guided by his personal journey, which began in 2004. His recovery was made possible through the care and support of many incredible people.

 

Damian has seen significant progress in awareness and resources for addiction recovery and remains committed to advancing these efforts. Since 2023, he has proudly served on the Board at Behind the Wire Ministries, continuing his mission to support others on their paths to healing.