Anne M. Hicks (1922 — 2004)

It’s been said that Breakaway Outreach was born out of the prayers of “Annie Ruth” Hicks. At her wedding in West Asheville, October 18, 1947, Annie Ruth carried a white satin prayer book bearing two purple-throated orchids, showered with tuberoses. This beautiful imagery became a precursor to the living legacy Mrs. Hicks fleshed out as a prayer warrior and loving family matriarch. Her unconditional love was the life-saving embodiment of God’s grace to many she nurtured. Our first summer camp for at-risk kids began near her childhood home in western North Carolina, in her honor. Her legacy reminds us that the simple virtues of prayer and love impact our world in ways that transcend generations.

Rev. Alan D. Woody (1936 — 2014)

Rev. Woody began a street ministry in West Palm Beach, FL, in the early 70s. The ministry became known as “Mission Possible, Inc.” In 1974, he began a jail ministry in Melbourne, FL, and continued serving in correctional facilities throughout the state for more than 20 years. He helped launch FCA chapters and other Bible clubs in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. He served for many years as a chaplain to the deputies and staff in the Citrus County sheriff’s office. He was known as a pastor to the marginalized, the man who personally led Jimmy Larche (Breakaway founder) to faith in Jesus Christ in 1987, and a founding board member of this ministry.

Timothy M. Amsler (1946 — 2019)

“Mr. Tim” was the proud owner of Amsler’s Inc. for 36 years. He was an early board member of Breakaway Outreach and long time friend of this ministry. He was a man who invested over two decades of service to youth as a Sunday School teacher and chaplain for the Department of Juvenile Justice. In appreciation of his long tenure as mentor to incarcerated youth, he was the recipient of the Tampa Bay area Channel 10’s Who Cares Award. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking and helping people in any way that he could.

Rev. Mack R. Douglas (1922 — 1999)

Dr. Douglas was a pastor, author of 15 books, graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and cherished board member of Breakaway Outreach in the late 90s. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps and fought at Guadalcanal and Okinawa. Throughout his life, Dr. Douglas never stopped fighting for the lost, the disconnected, and the hurting. An innovative outreach strategist, he helped get Breakaway started in the early years with a myriad of youth ministry initiatives in South Florida.

Rev. Jarrod L. Pillsbury (1971 — 2018)

Rev. Pillsbury last served as a pastor in Collinsville, Virginia. “The Jarrod” was a lover of Taco Bell, an endearing friend, and long-time Breakaway Outreach ministry partner. He helped launch our summer camp for at-risk children in 2007, worked to mobilize mission teams for sports camps overseas, and was a co-producer for the Breakaway TV series that aired on Sky Angel network for many years. Jarrod was gifted in working with youth and his legacy is one of pointing people of all different walks to faith in Jesus.

William L. White (1935 — 2019)

Mr. White was a native of Lindale, GA, and lived in the Rome and Floyd County area for most of his life. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving his country in the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, he was employed by Colonial Stores/Big Star 50 years and Piggly Wiggly 12 years. He was a member of the Fairview Baptist Church where he had served on the Board of Deacons. He was a faithful partner to the ministry of Breakaway Outreach for over 20 years. Our West Africa Baseball Initiative was launched in his honor.

Frank J. Pichichero (1956 — 2020)

Frank (a.k.a. “Frankie Baby” “Papaw”) was a retired military veteran, decorated Captain in the U.S. Army Airborne Ranger; Active in the liberation of Panama, where he received the Purple Heart Medal of Honor. Frank received a BA in Biology from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the University of Texas. He was devoted to his family and his faith. A deacon at the south Florida church where Jimmy youth pastored in the mid-90s, Frank became a faithful partner to Breakaway Outreach for 23 years before going home to be with the Lord. Our longtime mentor and friend will be forever cherished in our hearts, and his legacy will live on through this ministry.

Peter Anthony Tellex (1930 — 2020)

Peter was a long friend and partner to Breakaway Outreach for nearly 25 years before his passing in 2020. He had a soft place in his heart for kids coming from hard places and was a strong advocate for young people to experience better futures. We will miss him dearly, but carry his legacy in our hearts always. Rest in peace, dear brother.

Debra Ann Hoffmeier (1952 — 2021)

Beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandma, aunt, friend, and child of the King. In 2001, “Mrs. Debbie” began serving with Breakaway Outreach after we facilitated a juvenile justice ministry training workshop at her church in Dunnellon, Florida. Over the years, she became a nurturing spiritual mother to countless incarcerated youth. One of the things she loved to do was bake birthday cakes for the boys in the facilities. She leaves a vibrant legacy of “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me [Jesus]” (Matthew 25:40).

George Franklin Wright (1955 — 2024)

George Franklin Wright went to his eternal home with Jesus in 2024. George was raised in Soddy Daisy and graduated from Soddy Daisy High School in 1973. He was a licensed general contractor and served on the board of directors for the Homebuilders Association of Greater Chattanooga. He supported and sponsored many local community and school activities, with Mayor Steve Everett recognizing those contributions and proclaiming November 16, 2023 as George Wright Day in Soddy Daisy. George was an avid golfer and a faithful year after year in teeing it up for Breakaway Outreach’s Champions FORE Kids golf event.