About US
Team Nehemiah’s contribution:
Creating Road Homes for the chronically homeless with partners from local churches to provide a pathway from homelessness to new life in Jesus, healthy new friends and community.
Rebuild the narrow road of discipleship to reach all of our marginalized populations. We seek to be catalysts and models inviting others to join us as fellow servants of Christ. We call on all believers to exchange security, comfort and individualism to co-lead our poor and marginalized into the community and Kingdom of Jesus.
We seek to walk in obedience to God’s mandates and promises:
To embrace the homeless is to embrace Jesus Himself.
With joy, we follow Him—His Church, His beloved Bride—ready to receive and restore His lost sheep.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
Matthew 12:34-36
We step forward believing that:
· Light will break forth like the dawn, and healing will spring up quickly.
· Righteousness will go before us, and the glory of the Lord will protect us from behind.
· Redding will be known as a rebuilder of walls (the family) and a restorer of homes.
· When we learn to love the poor well, unity will grow and revival will break out in Redding!
Share your food with the hungry,
and give shelter to the homeless.
Give clothes to those who need them,
and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
8 “Then your salvation will come like the dawn,
and your wounds will quickly heal.
Your godliness will lead you forward,
and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
9 Then when you call, the Lord will answer.
‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
“Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
10 Feed the hungry,
and help those in trouble.
Then your light will shine out from the darkness,
and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
11 The Lord will guide you continually,
giving you water when you are dry
and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring.
12 Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls
and a restorer of homes.
Isaiah 58: 6-12 — To share our food, welcome the homeless, and care for the marginalized is not only a calling—it is a path to God’s favor and power.
Team Nehemiah Board of Directors
Dr. David Thompson
Dr. David Thompson is a retired missionary surgeon with over 40 years of global medical ministry experience. He and his wife, Rebecca, served under the Christian & Missionary Alliance for 35 years at Bongolo Hospital in Gabon and five years at Harpur Memorial Hospital in Egypt. Since retiring in 2018, Dr. Thompson has continued his legacy of service by offering medical care, discipleship, and compassionate outreach to the homeless in Redding.
A lifelong missionary, David was born in Cambodia to Alliance missionaries Ed and Ruth Thompson, who were martyred in Vietnam in 1968. He and Rebecca have three children and six grandchildren and reside in Redding, California.
Dr. Thompson led the team that built Bongolo Hospital, where over 20,000 patients have since come to faith in Christ. He also co-founded the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS), which trains African physicians as surgeons. He continues to serve on the boards of PAACS, Bongolo Hospital, Bongolo Friends, and PIEI Grace Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Locally, Dr. Thompson volunteers his medical expertise to Redding’s unhoused community, providing care, prayer, and gospel outreach. He is the author of five books chronicling his missionary work and vision: On Call, The Hand on My Scalpel, Beyond the Mist, Christian Mercy, and Training God’s Surgeons for Africa.
Les Reading
Les Reading brings over four decades of experience in homeless ministry, shaped by his own brief experience of homelessness as a youth and a long-standing commitment to serving vulnerable populations. After his Navy service, Les began serving with the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission in 1980, where he taught, ministered, and served on the board. He has since worked in outreach efforts in San Diego and Redding, forming deep relationships with those he serves.
A Naval Academy graduate and veteran submariner, Les also holds degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School and the Naval Nuclear Power School. He has served in missions across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Central America, and Israel. He currently splits his time between Redding and San Diego, ministering to the homeless and the Church in both communities.
Les is a seasoned Bible teacher and business strategist. His work alongside Paul Abbott in Israel helped launch MegaVoice, a solar-powered audio Bible used worldwide. Les supports Team Nehemiah through discipleship, intercessory prayer, mission strategy, and by helping shape the vision of The Road Home.
Paul Abbott
Paul Abbott brings over 35 years of international leadership experience in community development, crisis response, and business-as-mission. He has held senior roles with World Vision International and PACTEC International, serving in challenging contexts across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. He also founded the Equinox Center in Mauritania—a pioneering initiative combining local training, cultural exchange, and hospitality services.
Paul relocating to Redding in 2019 with his wife, Sonsoles, and their two children, Marcos and Carmen. Alarmed at the homeless situation in the USA, Paul became involved in local outreach efforts. He initially served as outreach coordinator for the Good News Rescue Mission and later worked closely with ShastaThrive’s initiatives supporting the unhoused.
In 2024, Paul helped launch Team Nehemiah’s Road Home discipleship community, where he now focuses on building sustainable, gospel-centered transformation through deep community and disciple-making partnerships between local churches and individuals emerging from chronic homelessness. Paul continues to support volunteers locally and shares his expertise in community development and discipleship globally.
Kelimar Vallecillo
Kelimar Vallecillo is a passionate advocate for the homeless and has been serving Redding’s homeless community since 2020 as the Outreach Coordinator at Bethel Church. With an Associate of Arts degree and three years of ministry training, she brings strong administrative skills, pastoral care, and a deep commitment to Christ-centered service.
Originally from Florida, Kelimar has over 13 years of ministry experience, including benevolence coordination, community event planning, and local church leadership. Her work is marked by compassion, intentionality, and a desire to restore dignity and hope. She is also the author of five books, including Intentionality: Restoring Our Relationship with Humanity – A Call to Action Devotional (Part I).
Kelimar supports Team Nehemiah’s outreach, advocacy, and spiritual care initiatives, helping build bridges between churches and those living on the margins.
Carl Mora
Carl Mora is a local business owner and dedicated community advocate. Since founding Mora’s Driving School in 2017, Carl has used his one-on-one time with students to build confidence and speak encouragement. His work extends beyond the classroom into the streets, where he engages directly with Redding’s homeless through outreach, evangelism, and practical support.
With a heart for helping others discover their identity in Christ, Carl serves The Road Home by fostering relationships, offering mentorship, and connecting individuals with pathways to healing and restoration. He recently traveled to Cuba on a short-term mission trip to share the gospel and demonstrate God’s love. Carl lives in Redding and enjoys fishing and time with his daughter, Mya.
