Meet the CHM Community
The women behind the ministry
At Cheerful Hearts we get to witness amazing transformations.
We kid about being a bunch of “fisherman”… but actually that is a high and honorable calling. The love of God in us is the heart and power behind all we bring to the table.
We often say we have the greatest jobs on earth: partnering with Jesus to lead women to places of freedom. Having struggled with physical illness,unwanted emotional baggage, unresolved pain, unforgiveness and spiritual confusion, we ourselves have benefited immensely from the collection of tools in our toolbox, producing our own stories in the gospel of Jesus.
His Truth is truly what sets people free. Our team depends on The Counselor, The Teacher, The Comforter in all aspects of ministry.
His Truth is truly what sets people free.
Life Scripture
Psalm 31: But I trust in you, oh Lord; I say
“You are my God. My times are in your hand.”
Hilda Stewart – Founding Director
As the Founding Director and visionary for Cheerful Hearts, Hilda has held tight to the vision of this ministry in 2005 as an inclusive, healing place of rest and restoration.
Hilda develops and oversees the ministries, activities, and events at Cheerful Hearts as well as serves the ministry team and clients as intercessor, advocate, and partner in faith. She and her most supportive husband Michael have 5 grown children and 12 precious grandchildren.
Before Cheerful Hearts Ministry was birthed, Hilda worked in early intervention (birth to 5-year-old children with special needs) and was the founding director in 1992 of a preschool that served normally developing children as well as those with developmental delays in conjunction with the county school system; it is alive and well today.
She earned a BA in Psychology, MA in Pastoral Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary, and is pursuing her Doctorate currently. As a life-long learner Hilda has completed many classes,
trainings, and programs to learn as much as she can to serve other women faithfully. She served as a pastor in a mainline denomination for a season before God called her to begin Cheerful Hearts in 2005.
As with many founding of ministries, Cheerful Hearts was birthed from God’s presence in her life overcoming personal hardship. Hilda became physically ill to the point of medical disability. Jesus responded to her cries for healing by leading her on a path that resulted in her own health restoration, but also in a ministry to women, ages 12-112. Hilda said yes to Jesus’ invitation to come on an adventure with Him, and it has been quite an adventure.
Cheerful Hearts delves into deep issues of the heart, whether individually, in small groups, or retreats with 12 or less women in attendance. Cheerful Hearts has welcomed thousands of ladies through the years of journeying together to the feet of Jesus through small groups, individual prayer ministry, and retreats.
Hilda has been active for almost three decades in developing and leading weekend and one-day
retreats for women in personal homes, state parks, conventions centers, churches and wherever the Lord would lead her. It is a great joy for Hilda, to walk alongside other women who seek to find true peace and joy in her relationship with Christ.
Tabi Karlin – Ministry Apprentice
Tabi joined the Cheerful Hearts Ministry staff after several years of interest in the ministry via word of mouth in the community and from her time serving on the women’s ministry team at her church. She is your introductory voice when contacting for general info, and guides the First Encounters. Tabi assists when and where needed.
Having lost her mom and both grandmothers as a teenager, Tabi has always had a heart for women of all ages who are hurting or just simply feel alone and misunderstood. After discovering what it truly meant to have a relationship with her loving Father, God filled her with grace and more love than could ever be expressed which prompted her desire to want all women to know this beautiful relationship He longs to have with each one of His daughters.
She and her husband Nate, enjoy life together, especially their darling son, Woodson. Making precious memories with her family, cooking for them and their friends brings her much joy. She especially enjoys God’s beautiful creation.
Tabi Karlin – Ministry Apprentice
Tabi joined the Cheerful Hearts Ministry staff after several years of interest in the ministry via word of mouth in the community and from her time serving on the women’s ministry team at her church. She is your introductory voice when contacting for general info, and guides the First Encounters. Tabi assists when and where needed.
Having lost her mom and both grandmothers as a teenager, Tabi has always had a heart for women of all ages who are hurting or just simply feel alone and misunderstood. After discovering what it truly meant to have a relationship with her loving Father, God filled her with grace and more love than could ever be expressed which prompted her desire to want all women to know this beautiful relationship He longs to have with each one of His daughters.
She and her husband Nate, enjoy life together, especially their darling son, Woodson. Making precious memories with her family, cooking for them and their friends brings her much joy. She especially enjoys God’s beautiful creation.
Julie Meyers
Julie is new….but she is back too. Julie was the Administrative Assistant for years at Cheerful Hearts. She has a servant’s heart and felt called away for a season to grow in different ways. She is excited to be back at Cheerful Hearts in the same role for the next leg of adventure. Julie is a much behind the scenes gal, ensuring that things roll right along! Her heart is happy anticipating serving God in this way again and about being in a place where mentoring and growing happens naturally.
Julie and Tom, her husband for over 30 years, enjoy one another and learn from each other every day. They have beautiful Pomeranians that they adore. Tom loves to participate in the dog therapy in nursing homes or wherever he finds himself. Julie’s life verse is Eccl. 3.1 and find peace in this truth.
Ecclesiastes 3.1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.
Juleen DuBois
Soon after moving to the Lake Oconee area, Juleen discovered Cheerful Hearts Ministry, and knew immediately it was a place she wanted to be involved with. Juleen has a heart for seeing women healed, free and walking in the identity that Christ died for them to have. She loves being able to serve the community by leading Small Groups at Cheerful Hearts and assisting with Individual Ministries that help women grow in all these areas.
When anyone meets Juleen it is obvious that her heart is filled with joy and spills out from her soul onto anyone in her presence. She is also a mighty prayer warrior for Cheerful Hearts or for anyone the Lord lays on her heart or calls on her to pray. She joyfully accepts this as an honor.
As an occupation, Juleen enjoys assisting employees and their families throughout the United States who must relocate due to a job change or transfer. In her leisure time, Juleen enjoys worship music, hiking, crafting, visiting coffee shops and playing pickleball with her husband and friends.
Juleen DuBois
Soon after moving to the Lake Oconee area, Juleen discovered Cheerful Hearts Ministry, and knew immediately it was a place she wanted to be involved with. Juleen has a heart for seeing women healed, free and walking in the identity that Christ died for them to have. She loves being able to serve the community by leading Small Groups at Cheerful Hearts and assisting with Individual Ministries that help women grow in all these areas.
When anyone meets Juleen it is obvious that her heart is filled with joy and spills out from her soul onto anyone in her presence. She is also a mighty prayer warrior for Cheerful Hearts or for anyone the Lord lays on her heart or calls on her to pray. She joyfully accepts this as an honor.
As an occupation, Juleen enjoys assisting employees and their families throughout the United States who must relocate due to a job change or transfer. In her leisure time, Juleen enjoys worship music, hiking, crafting, visiting coffee shops and playing pickleball with her husband and friends.
Deborah Williamson
Deborah stepped into the Cheerful Hearts adventure in 2006. After accepting an invitation to
come and hear Hilda’s vision for a women’s ministry in the Eatonton area, Deborah said YES!
She continues her involvement to this day, scheduling and assisting in the individual ministry
opportunities at CHM: Heart to Heart, Red Chair, and Luke 8.
Deborah understands debilitating fear, deep-seated unforgiveness, shame, and projecting blame onto others. She has grown, and is growing free to such an extent, if you had told her years ago this freedom was possible, she would not have believed it. She is a living testimony of God’s grace and restoration. And, if God did it for Deborah, He can and will do it for you!
Deborah and her husband Coleman have been married 45 years. Together, they have 6 children, 7 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren. Their quiver is full!
They are enthralled and surprised by what God is doing in their latter years; welcoming others
to encounter Jesus through silence, solitude, and rest on their 171 acres.
Lynne Bedsole
Lynne was introduced to Cheerful Hearts almost 10 years ago. Through learning more about this ministry being blessed by several small groups, it wasn’t long before she knew she wanted to become a volunteer.
The more she learns about how this ministry is centered around Christ, the more she wants to be involved. Through the years God has led her to help with many different aspects of ministry. Currently she performs the very needed and much appreciated Volunteer Coordinator. She coordinates the schedules and follows up with our volunteers regularly. She is a true treasure to us.
Lynne & Jim, her husband of 43 years, make family time a priority with their daughters, son-in-laws and precious grandsons. She and Jim also enjoy boating, flying, and fellowship with friends. She is a dear friend of Cheerful Hearts.
Lynne Bedsole
Lynne was introduced to Cheerful Hearts almost 10 years ago. Through learning more about this ministry being blessed by several small groups, it wasn’t long before she knew she wanted to become a volunteer.
The more she learns about how this ministry is centered around Christ, the more she wants to be involved. Through the years God has led her to help with many different aspects of ministry. Currently she performs the very needed and much appreciated Volunteer Coordinator. She coordinates the schedules and follows up with our volunteers regularly. She is a true treasure to us.
Lynne & Jim, her husband of 43 years, make family time a priority with their daughters, son-in-laws and precious grandsons. She and Jim also enjoy boating, flying, and fellowship with friends. She is a dear friend of Cheerful Hearts.