Staff Bios
Danny Hampton, Executive Director
Danny has been serving in ministry leadership positions since his college days in 1982. During his years of ministry he has served in many different ministerial arenas including youth ministry, music/worship ministry, counseling, education, family ministry, and senior pastoral ministry. Danny has had the privilege to serve in ministry fields ranging from Orlando, Florida, to Endicott, New York and many places in-between.
Educationally, Danny earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Mars Hill University and a Masters of Divinity Degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2010, Danny and his family felt called to leave his pastorate in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and move back to his extended family’s homeland here in McDowell County. Shortly after arriving in Marion, Danny became Chaplain of the Marion Minimum Security Unit and an Assistant Chaplain at the Marion Correctional Institution.
It was during his time of serving as a prison chaplain that God birthed the vision for Freedom Life Ministries. Danny has served as Chaplain and Executive Director of Freedom Life Ministries since its inception in November of 2012. His hobbies include music, writing, sports of all kinds, golf, and hiking.
Milana Ward, Avery County Re-Entry Coordinator
Native of Avery County. Started my journey with Freedom Life in November of 2022. In March of 2018, I truly learned what it was to surrender something to the Lord, as I hit my knees in rehab (for the second time) and begged God to take my addiction from me. I was exhausted and to the very end of myself! God answered that prayer and little did I know He was working behind the scenes to get me to this point! Once he took it from me I still had a lot of work to do and I needed a lot of support. That is what I hope to do with Freedom Life, be a part of walking beside people to a better way of life. I have a heart for helping people facing some of the same challenges I faced trying to find my own recovery. In being the re-entry coordinator for Avery County I can now be a part of the solution! I look forward to whatever God sends my way!
Jeremy Champion, Avery Case Manager
Welcome to my journey of faith and service. Growing up in Hickory and spending summers in Avery County with my great grandmother shaped my early experiences with God. At 14, I encountered Jesus and felt His presence profoundly during a church service with my best friend by my side. My college years at App State, where I earned a B.S. in psychology, were transformative, as I went on international mission trips that deepened my faith and opened my heart to God’s love for the world. Now, as a Case manager at Freedom Life and a leader in Celebrate Recovery, I am honored to walk alongside others on their paths of healing, guided by the servant’s heart that God has given me.