The Team

Meet Our Staff

Every member of our team is a servant of Christ, dedicated to walking alongside men on their journey to freedom.

Donald and JoAnna Atkinson, Founders of NBIC

Founders · Est. 2004

Founders

Donald & JoAnna Atkinson

God gave Donald Atkinson — a fully recovered alcoholic himself — the vision for NBIC in 2004 when he became convicted of the need to provide families with a no-cost alternative to the price-intensive nature of traditional recovery homes. Donald and JoAnna were deeply concerned that many men die due to the extreme costs associated with the recovery industry. They received no salary for their labors, graciously sacrificing their own lives so that men could be freed from the bondage of addiction. Donald went home to be with the Lord in December 2021. His legacy lives on in every man who walks through these doors, and JoAnna continues to faithfully carry the ministry forward in his honor.

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Michael Ogden

Pastor

Graduate Liberty University · Calvary Chapel Seminary Program

"Pastor Mike" is called upon countless times daily by men in our program, and you can almost always find the door to his office cordially open. He serves as a loyal spiritual guide to the men on campus and always tries to treat them with utmost respect. Outside of the ministry, Pastor Mike's heart is focused on outreach to orphans and widows in third world countries. He has spent 2–4 weeks in Uganda each year since 2008, and his mission has secured funding for a $10,000 well to provide clean water for a village in need.

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Pastor Jeff Raines

Director of Administration

Jeff is an Army veteran who served as a M1A2 tank driver in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003–2004. A graduate of NBIC, Jeff struggled with drug-related chemical dependency for over 20 years before surrendering his life to Christ at NBIC. In addition to his duties as program director, Jeff encourages the men to take this time that God has graciously given them seriously. He is an example of what Christ can do for someone when they fully surrender and pick up their cross daily.

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Wendell Brown

Job Coordinator

Wendell spent most of his adult life as a deck Captain on a maritime dredger, and after 35 years of living as a functioning addict it finally became unmanageable. He found Jesus at NBIC. NBIC took a broken man out of addiction and set him on the path to help other broken men. Wendell manages all work crews in our program and keeps our men busy while training and instilling a good work ethic into them.

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Gerald Denton

Intake Manager & Authorized Representative

Before arriving at NBIC, Gerald lived his life as a heating & air conditioning specialist and a level 2 welding inspector. He came to NBIC in 2021 after 35 years in addiction to drugs and alcohol. He quickly made Garfield his home and became an active member in our community. His mission in life is to truly step out of self and help others find Christ and sobriety.

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Seth Cox

Learning Coach

Seth came to us from Evans County on June 25th, 2024. Seth graduated from the program and decided to stay and help others. He is currently a learning coach with our school program for children. He spent many years in addiction, prison, and treatment before finding Christ and realizing that "He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves." (2 Cor 5:15)

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Mark Rowland

Community Outreach Coordinator

Mark joined our staff at New Beginnings in Christ in 2023 after completing our program for alcohol and drug addiction. He is our point-man for fundraising for the ministry. Mark takes the men to different retreats and church meetings in the area so that we can be heavily involved in community affairs. Mr. Rowland also graduated with a degree from Guido Bible Institute in Metter, Georgia.

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Brandon Ivey

Woodshop Manager

Brandon joined us on staff at NBIC after graduating from our four-month program. He is the manager of the woodshop and supervises the crew as they build products to fundraise for the ministry. He and his crew also upkeep much of the housing on "the Hill." Brandon's home is in Bulloch County and he is the contact for all your woodshop needs.

NBIC staff and residentsNBIC team at work

* Individual staff headshots coming soon. Please upload photos to update this page.

Join the Mission

Our staff are volunteers and graduates who give their lives to this work. Support them by donating to the ministry today.