
Founders

Bill and Carole both grew up in Kansas. Bill studied Agriculture at Kansas State University, and while there was heavily involved in Intervarsity, Campus Crusade and other ministries. Through this campus involvement, his love for people and desire to do full-time ministry grew. Answering this call of God at 21, he went on to earn his Master of Divinity at Wheaton College, near Chicago. Meanwhile, Carole was attending Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, and studying Christian Education and Missions. Bill and Carole met at Moody during a campus visit from Bill, and they were married in 1963. Carole later received her Bachelor's degree from Liberty University.
After Bill's graduation from Wheaton in 1965, they returned to Kansas and began pastoral ministry in Hoisington. Later, while pastoring a church in Marion, they found a young boy in jail for not going to school. They took him into their own home and cared for him. After he left, they took in two girls, and later three more. As their ministry to wounded youth grew, they started looking and praying for property, and also for individuals who would be interested in supporting this new work.
In May of 1970, they found a beautiful piece of land, covered with grass and trees near Hutchinson. In November, Heart Ministries was incorporated and the land was dedicated and named Victory Village. Work was begun on a girl's dormitory and school, and the ministry of showing God's love and compassion to teenage girls has continued.
Our Team

Bill & Carole Cowell
Founders

Kelli Rump
Director & Principal

Katy Nininger
Assistant Director/Athletic Director & Math Teacher

Heather Smith
Dormitory Director

Dr. Jessica Kerzner
On-site Therapist

Kristi Colvin
Case Manager

Amanda Herd
Dorm Staff

Brynn Foster
Cook

Cayleena Pilgreen
Dorm Staff

Elise Gaeddert
Coach/Dorm Staff

Emily Moore
Dorm Staff

Emma Foster
Cook/Dorm Staff

Janice Janzen
Dorm Staff

Jenna Weimer
Dorm Staff

Jerry Nininger
Coach/Teacher

Karen Chatterton
Dorm Staff

Larissa Hawkinson
Teacher

Lauren Holmes
Dorm Staff

Marla Johnson
Teacher

Robin Traffas
Dorm Staff/Teacher

Shannon Fitzgerald
Dorm Staff

Trinity Sampson
Dorm Staff/Coach

Scott Hilburn
Maintenance

Bri Neal
Dorm Staff

Becky Valdois
Dorm Staff