Meet The Board
Garrett Kahrs
President/CEO
Garrett has dedicated his life to telling others about the God who loves deeply, forgives entirely, and empowers completely. He is passionate about helping people discover an intimate and ongoing relationship with Jesus and equipping them to walk in their unique gifting and ministry.
Garrett out-punted his coverage when he married his wife, Talia. Talia is the assistant Women’s Basketball coach at Fort Hays State University. They have one daughter, Malaki Marie.
Garrett is a graduate of Fort Hays State University and has a Master’s Degree in Applied Biblical Studies from The Moody Bible Institute.
Garrett is also the Director of Encounter Young Adults Ministry, a vibrant young adult ministry that is part of Celebration Community Church in Hays, KS.
Dani Williams
Founder
Dani is from small town Kansas and obtained a Bachelor’s in Christian Counseling through the King’s University in Texas. The trauma of losing her little brother caused an already rebellious heart to stumble and fall into depression, which is best described to her as the most hopeless and lonely place. A lifestyle of dealing drugs came to a halt after her first mission trip to Haiti. It was there that God opened her eyes to the struggle so many people in the world are facing. Dani decided she did not like where her life was heading and she started giving God pieces of her heart.
Leaving the drug dealing lifestyle and stepping into her new life, Dani founded Dealing Hope with the intention that the hope found in Jesus can save and heal even the saddest of hearts. This can be obtained in several different styles through many callings. Dealing Hope works to empower others in their calling, ultimately bringing the hope of Christ to as many people as possible through anyone who is willing.
Austin Foster
Vice President
Austin began his relationship with God during his time at Fort Hays State University where he graduated with a bachelors degree in Business Management. It was there he began to realize the hope that comes with knowing Jesus.
Currently, Austin resides in Denver, Colorado where he helps run the family’s window cleaning company. In his spare time you can find him exploring the mountains with his dog Theodore.
Jordan Klima
Treasurer
Jordan is a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and a Certificate in Accounting.
Jordan lives in Hays, KS with his wife, Natalie, and new puppy, Bodi. The two co-lead a Lifegroup for dating, engaged, and married couples, and have recently begun sharing their financial knowledge through biblical stewardship classes at Celebration Community Church.
Jordan has been in banking for nine years, and currently works as a Financial Institution Examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In his free time, Jordan enjoys creating Excel spreadsheets, playing tennis, and weight lifting.
Natalie Klima
Secretary
Natalie Klima is a Kansas native who has a passion for loving others like Jesus and encouraging others in their dreams of business and community engagement. She grew up in a family who valued both serving others and working hard.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Fort Hays State University where she studied Ag Business, minored in Finance, and received a certificate in Business Law. She currently works in healthcare HR at Sanford Health.
Natalie is married to Jordan Klima and they reside in Hays, KS. During her free time she volunteers at Celebration Community Church on the worship team, co-leading a Life Group for young couples, and is the Hays Young Professionals Membership Development Committee Chair.
Her hobbies include: being outside, exercising, reading, enjoying coffee, and photography.
Kaden Buer
Overseas Director
Kaden grew up in Concordia, KS and received bachelors and masters degrees in Fisheries Biology from Fort Hays State University in 2013 and 2017 respectively. Over the past ten years Kaden has worked for State wildlife agencies in Kansas, Wyoming, Minnesota, Utah and Idaho.
Kaden gave his life to Christ on October 14, 2014, while living in Pinedale, WY and was blessed to have been discipled by the state wolf biologist before moving back to Hays, Kansas for graduate school.
In 2019, Kaden accepted a Fisheries Biologist position with Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association. He and the love of his life, Paige Buer, reside in Kodiak, Alaska where Kaden teaches middle school at Kodiak Christian School.
In February of 2020, Paige and Kaden accepted the children's director position at Oceans United Church. God made a way for them to take in and become guardians of their 13yr old niece and 5 year old Nephew. Their first daughter was born in December of 2020.
Annika Carter
Ministry Coordinator
Annika started as the Ministry Coordinator for Encounter Young Adults Ministry after graduating with an Organizational Leadership degree from Fort Hays State University in the fall of 2019. She helps plan and oversee ministry activities and events to help point young adults to Christ throughout college and career.
See more of what Encounter does here
Talia Kahrs
Advisory Board Member
Talia is passionate not only about sharing the love of God with everyone around her, but she also loves to coach the game of basketball. Talia has been the Assistant Women's Basketball coach at Fort Hays State University since 2012. She has helped lead the team to numerous 20-win seasons, conference championships, and post season berths.
Talia is a graduate of Fort Hays State University with a bachelors in Physical Education as well as a masters in Sports Administration. Talia is married to Garrett Kahrs and together they have one daughter, Malaki Marie.
Talia helps direct Encounter Young Adults ministry alongside Garrett at Celebration Community Church in Hays, KS and advises the Dealing Hope board.