Hope is Alive

Judge Wayne L. Mack, a 40-year resident of Montgomery County, has had a distinguished career of public service, starting out as a custodian working the night shift for the building maintenance with Montgomery County, cleaning the same courthouse that now calls him “Judge” in downtown Conroe. He has over 35 years of service with Montgomery County government. After graduating from Lone Star College Police Academy, he began a law enforcement career and has almost 15 years in law enforcement, working as Reserve Captain at the PCT. 1 Constables office, a Reserve Sergeant at the Conroe Police Department and a M.A.P. Deputy with the Constable PCT. 2. In 2014 Judge Mack was elected to serve as the Justice of the Peace for Justice Court One. He has court offices in Willis and Montgomery, Texas. When he came into office, he started the Justice Court Chaplaincy Program that includes over 50 members across Montgomery County representing all faiths, that respond to assist law enforcement in times of crisis and tragedy to help families start the process of grieving and healing. Serving his community to the fullest and always making himself available when needed is the key factor in why Judge Mack and his team are so strong. Judge Mack is a true example of servant leadership. He is making Montgomery County better for all residents by doing not just saying. In addition to his role as Justice of the Peace, Judge Mack has served on 18 different non-profit boards in Montgomery County. Judge Mack is a founder of the the Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force of Montgomery County (BHSP), with over 250 active volunteers. He teaches Talk Saves Lives classes for the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention and is a Trust Based Relation Intervention Practitioner (TBRI). With this TBRI training, Judge Mack’s court became the first trauma informed Justice Court in Texas. Judge Mack was named Justice of the Peace of the Year 2020 by the Justice of the Peace and Constable Association of Texas (JPCA) and currently serves as chair of the Legislative Committee for the JPCA. Judge Mack is happily married to his beautiful wife, Mindy, who works for the Conroe Police Department. He has three grown children — Austin, Amber and Michelle — and is raising his niece, Miranda. He has seven grandchildren and one great grandchild. Judge Mack and his family live their life by their family motto: Make a Difference Every Day.

Jaci Zahn holds a master’s in counseling from St. Edward’s University. She specializes in emotional abuse recovery and is the designer of a curriculum focused on understanding and healing from narcissistic abuse. Jaci teaches classes on the subject, empowering individuals with the tools and insights needed to rebuild their lives.

Kimberly McClung is a licensed professional counselor associate and the founder of The Zoe Center, a private practice in The Woodlands, Texas. She is passionate about helping women and adolescent girls navigate the complex emotional challenges of life with hope, resilience and faith. Kimberly specializes in the treatment of anxiety, particularly among high-achieving teens and professionals. She also works with individuals experiencing reproductive trauma, infertility or the grief of child loss. Her approach is warm, collaborative and rooted in evidence-based practices, offering clients a safe space to explore their emotions and grow in self-awareness and strength. She holds both a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Counseling, and brings more than 20 years of experience serving on church staff as both a children's and women's pastor. Drawing from her background in ministry and education, Kimberly integrates clinical skills with compassion and spiritual insight. She is committed to walking alongside her clients with empathy, offering support that is both practical and deeply personal.

Stew Grant, D.Min., has taught graduate counseling for the last 13 years for John Brown University. He was Director of Marriage Ministries at the Center for Healthy Relationships for nine years where he directed two federal research grants from the Department of Health and Humans Services. He has been a pastor in the Methodist movement since 1998. He is currently an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church and serves as Pastor of Marriage and Parenting at The Woodlands Methodist Church. He is married to his high school sweetheart; they have four adult children with five grandchildren and they await 11 more per his quota for exact revenge on each of his four. Stew has counseled for many years regarding marriage and addictions. His research has addressed how addiction has increased the demise of marital commitment and interpersonal trust.