Our Staff

Joe Livingston serves as our local RU Chapter Director and Visitor Group Leader. Earlier in life, Joe’s own wrong choices led him to enter the vicious cycle of addiction, and that destructive path led him to feel hopelessly trapped in the perpetual failure. His heart began to change, and his personal testimony of faith in Christ began after he came through the doors of the RU Men’s School of Discipleship. Joe’s journey led him to become active in volunteering at his local church, North Love Baptist, and the local Rockford RU Chapter, where he has continued to find help and support from fellow believers.

Many years later, Joe along with his wife, Melanie, faithfully serve the Lord by reaching out to those struggling with addiction in the Rockford area. They work together encouraging others to apply the principles and the tools of the RU Program to overcome the deep-rooted strongholds that give ground to sin and addiction − and they have had the privilege to help many to discover lasting freedom in Jesus Christ. Joe and Melanie reside in Rockford with their son, Aiden.

Donnie married his wife Hannah in 2008, and they have been serving the Lord in the RU Recovery Schools of Discipleship ever since. Over the years he has worked in various positions throughout the ministries of RU, all of which have equipped him to successfully take on his current position as Director of Housing. Currently, Bro. Barnes oversees the start to finish of each student that walks through the doors of both the men and ladies homes. It is Donnie’s prayer that through his testimony, many people would be reached through Christ.

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While attending and serving in his local church, sinful behavior turned into an addiction and quickly eroded his daily walk with God. Dale came to the RU Men’s School of Discipleship in 2003 and upon completion of the program he returned home to his church in Cleveland where he and his family served faithfully for the next 8 years. After much prayer and counsel, Dale returned to Rockford in 2011 together with his wife and their 5 children. In 2012, he began working for Reformers Unanimous, where he now serves as the Intervention Mentor in the Men’s Home.

Hannah and Donnie were married in 2008. They both have served in the RU housing ministry in various capacities since that time. As of April 2012, Mrs. Barnes assumed the role of Dean of Women for the RU Schools of Discipleship as well as the Intervention Mentor. Hannah serves in the music ministry at North Love Baptist Church, as well as co-teaching the Senior High Girls Sunday School class.

Little did Hannah know that her father’s crippling addiction would become the catalyst God would use to help her in ministering to broken and hurting women.