Leadership — MENDING THE SOUL

Our Founders

Mending the Soul was conceived in 2003 when Steve and Celestia Tracy and a handful of men and women met with a passion to comfort those broken by abuse. Because there were few resources available to address the complexities of abuse and neglect, Steve and Celestia published Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse to educate on the nature and effects of abuse, and the Mending the Soul Workbook to guide survivors through an interactive and integrated process of healing and forgiveness in community with each other.

Together, the Tracys co-founded and co-direct Mending the Soul, mentoring and supervising collaborative teams of writers, artists, musicians, educators, students, mental health providers, and business professionals who create the sustainable healing models and curricula for Mending the Soul Ministries for global application.

Steve and Celestia have three grown children, who, with their families, partner with them in ministries of justice and mercy.

STEVE TRACY, PhD

Steve is the President and International Director for Mending the Soul, and professor of theology and ethics at Phoenix Seminary where he has taught since 1995. He has also served as a church pastor for fifteen years. Steve’s research and writing are focused on biblical ethics, sexuality, and abuse. He received a B.A. from Arizona State, an M.Div. and Th.M. from Western Seminary and a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the University of Sheffield (England) with a research focus on Pauline ethics. In addition to his domestic work, Steve, along with his wife Celestia, spend 4-8 weeks a year in East Africa coordinating and supervising international trauma training teams. Steve is the author of seven books and numerous book chapters and journal articles.

CELESTIA TRACY, MA

Celestia is the Resource Development Director for Mending the Soul. Celestia received her M.A. in Counseling/Psychology from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and supported leaders and families as a professional trauma counselor for eighteen years. Drawing from twenty-five years of teaching and training experience in areas of abuse and healing, secondary trauma, intimacy and bonding, biblical sexuality, and soul care, Celestia ensures that all Mending the Soul curricula and trainings are psychologically informed and using best practice models. Celestia is the author of twelve books and workbooks.

Our Staff

Paul Richter

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Paul graduated from Westmont College with a BA in Philosophy and Western Seminary with a MA in Biblical and Theological Studies. He is in the process of completing his MBA in Organizational Management from Eastern University. He has previously served as an Executive Director of a nonprofit and an Executive Pastor of a local church in Portland, OR.
Paul is passionate about speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves and caring for those impacted by trauma and abuse. He is a fierce advocate for the weak and marginalized and counts it a great privilege to serve through Mending the Soul. Paul brings his nonprofit and pastoral experience to Mending the Soul, but nothing surpasses His deep love and need for Jesus.
Paul has also been a father to more than 13 children who joined his family through birth, foster care, and adoption. He also owns three dogs and one cat and has promised to no longer attend pet rescue events at Petsmart alone!
Bethany Richter

DIRECTOR OF US PROGRAMS
Bethany attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, earning a BA in Psychology. Since that time, she has served as a full-time mama for ten years, a nonprofit director, children and families’ pastor, and women’s pastor.
Bethany is a strong advocate for survivors of trauma and abuse. She is passionate about helping others heal from the devastating effects of abuse, whether that be the 13 children she has cared for in her home through the foster care system or the women she has ministered to as a pastor.
Bethany lives in Portland, Oregon, with her amazing husband of 23 years, Paul (executive director), six children (Sydney, Noah, Abraham, Caleb, Moriyah, and David), three dogs, and a cat. (The animals were all Paul’s idea!)
Brent Young

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Brent brings years of Corporate as well as Church experience to Mending the Soul. In the corporate world, he spent many years as a Creative Director managing communications and branding campaigns.
In the church world, he has served as Production, Creative, Communications, and Worship Pastor for churches in California and Texas.
Brent has been married to Melinda since 1989 and lives in North Houston.
Erin Pieratt

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Erin earned her Business Administration degree at Seattle Pacific University and after taking a nonprofit management class, she hoped she'd one day work for a nonprofit. Twenty years later, she joined the team at Mending the Soul after discovering her own passion for understanding how God created our nervous systems to heal from trauma but also the need to heal in community from past trauma and abuse.
Her years of experience in hospitality and healthcare, as well as being a mom for the past 12 years, helps Erin organize all the things in order to help Mending the Soul focus on bringing healing from trauma and abuse in Jesus' name.
Erin calls Beaverton, Oregon home along with her husband, two kids, and adorable puppy.
Fred Mugeni

AUDIO/VIDEO ENGINEER & DESIGNER
Fred holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology obtained from Makerere University. Since 2009, he has been involved in the design of different communication materials for organizations, both local and international. He enjoys sharing stories passionately through film and graphics.
Fred lives in Kampala, Uganda, with his wife Claire and their son Shammah. As a born-again Christian, he enjoys counseling and encouraging those in need and desires to see his community better.
Justine Kusiima

AFRICA ACCOUNTANT
Justine is Ugandan and was born in the Kibaale District. She loves Christ! He is always her first priority in her life. God has opened her heart to equip people who have experienced trauma with healing resources, and she loves to see every soul come to Christ from whom we receive free salvation, peace, joy, and everlasting life.
She graduated from Ndejje University with a Bachelor's Degree in Science in Accounting and Finance in 2016. Her work is part of her ministry to God because she believes God positioned her in such a place to purposely portray His glory.
In her free time, she loves spending it with her husband, Donald, her daughter, family members, and friends. She also loves spending quiet time with God.
David Mudeya

REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR ITURI-BENI CONGO
David lives in Beni in eastern Congo. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Theology from UCBC, where he had Dr. Tracy as a teacher and was introduced to MTS. He received much healing and comfort from the MTS model. He now trains facilitators of By His Wounds healing groups.
David is a pastor in the CECA denomination and oversees 20 churches. He is also the director of EAJ, a Congolese outreach to children. He is working on an MA in Christian Education at Westminster Theological College and Seminary Uganda. He is passionate about counseling, researching, writing, teaching, training for trauma healing, and Christian Education.
In his free time, he enjoys being with his wife Jeannette and their four children, playing music, singing, watching kids’ games, and gardening.
Moses Mawa

CONGO REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR BUTEMBO, BASHU, AND LUBERO
Moses lives in Butembo City in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Moses holds a degree in Systematic Theology from the ULPGL in Butembo. Several years ago, Moses was introduced to MTS trauma resources, where he experienced personal healing. He shares with others the undeniable richness contained in By His Wounds and loves to provide healing from trauma to his Congolese compatriots.
Moses is a pastor in the CBCA denomination and Director of Evangelical Radio and Television. He is also an attorney and human rights defender, President of a non-profit association which campaigns for the vulnerable, and a board member of SHAMA orphanage.
His wife, Sifa (her name means glory), is an expert in gender-based violence. Together they have seven children.
Stephen Kato

UGANDA DIRECTOR
Stephen Kato lives in the Kibaale district in western Uganda and is passionate about serving vulnerable and traumatized individuals. He earned a bachelor's degree in social work and social administration from Kampala University and a certificate in Bible from Africa Training Africans Seminary. He is currently pursuing an M.A. in theology from Africa Renewal University. Stephen worked as a social worker with Transformed for Life for nine years, serving vulnerable individuals and families.
In 2022 he joined the MTS staff as the Uganda director after experiencing personal healing through MTS By His Wounds training. Stephen is now a By His Wounds master trainer, facilitates small groups of pastors, and is the pastor of Bible Truth Church.
Stephen is married to Sherry Nagayi, and they have four children. During his free time, he enjoys listening to gospel music and reading the Bible and Christian books.
Jean-Pasteur Katavo

DIRECTOR OF AFRICA TRANSLATIONS AND EMERGING LEADERS DEVELOPMENT
Katavo has served as the Church Educator for a Baptist denomination since 2000. Katavo holds an MA in French and African languages from Bukavu Teachers' Training College, an MA in Christian Education from Africa International University, a Graduate Teacher Diploma from the Evangelical Training Association, and a title of leader from Haggai Institute. Katavo is a founding member of Africa Speaks and African Perspectives, two nonprofits that strive for church growth and development.
After experiencing Mending the Soul for the first time in 2007, Katavo and his family said, “We can do the same!” Together, they founded Gratia Counseling Ministries (2007), Purpose-Driven Youth (2013), and Finney Musumba Bethany International Prayer Ministries (2022). Katavo also has initiated three evangelical radio stations. He enjoys ministering to difficult people and areas, translating MTS resources, and mentoring emerging leaders. He contributes annually to the church guides for sermons and discipleship.
Katavo, his wife, Daphrose, and four of their seven children live in Goma, Congo; the three older children study in Nairobi.
Titus Folden

REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR LATIN AMERICA & EUROPE
Titus and his wife Stephanie live in Spain and serve globally with WorldVenture. Titus equips churches, NGO’s and faith leaders to understand and prevent abuse and care well for survivors in their communities. Before living in Spain, they served eleven years in Ecuador. Titus’ relationship with MTS began in 2012.
Titus enjoys encouraging and connecting people and is inspired by witnessing God’s transformative and healing work around the world firsthand. He grew up in the Pacific Northwest and obtained an M.A. in Christian Leadership from Multnomah University. He enjoys spending time with his wife and children, exploring the outdoors, playing sports, reading, and creating music and art.