Our Team

Since 2003, Michael has served Central Pennsylvania as a youth/student pastor, college lacrosse coach, event speaker and organizer through burnedbyGod, Drug & Alcohol Counselor while mentoring and training adults who work with youth. 

He is originally from the eastern shore of Maryland.  His wife Lauri Burns whose maiden name was Lauri Long grew up in Millerstown, Perry County.  Michael and Lauri have two children, Addison and Thaddeus.

Michael graduated from High School in Maryland, received his Eagle Scout through the Boy Scouts of America in 1998 and than graduated from Whittier College in Whittier, California with a B.A. in Psychology and Child Development.  He too holds a Masters in Theology from Liberty Theological Seminary in Lynchburg, Virginia.  

In addition to serving as the Executive Director at Join Hands Ministry, Michael co-vocationally serves as the senior pastor at Watts Wesleyan Church in Watts Township/Duncannon, PA. 

Sheree has worked with Join Hands since April 2013. As the Assistant Director, she oversees Internal Programs. Prior to that, she was a stay-at-home mom busy with her church, the PTO, and volunteering at Newport Elementary School.  

In her life before motherhood, she worked with children with behavioral problems for Keystone Family Services and Catholic Charities.  

Sheree is a Juniata County original but moved to Perry County with her husband Steve in Oct. 1998. They reside with their 2 children, Taylor and Jimmy along with a beloved mutt, Daisy. 

Sheree graduated from Lock Haven University in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Journalism and a Masters in Counseling from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland. 

She is a life time member of Hope Eternal UMC in Newport, PA.

Brooke came onto staff in July 2020.  As the Assistant to the Director, she oversees and coordinates External Programs, which includes our warehouse.  She has served on the administrative board of Join Hands Ministry since 2016 and with Join Hands Ministry since 2013 collaborating efforts for a Christmas program called Christmas Treasures to help Perry County residents.

Brooke is a 2003 High School Graduate of West Perry High School and 2005 Graduate from Central Penn College. She started working in the private sector of Law after graduating and has spent the last 10 years working for Cumberland County. She was an employee with the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office for the last 5 years.

Brooke is also her husband’s secretary with Haas Creative Carpentry. She is happily married with no children but has two fur babies at home. She currently attends Cornerstone Church in Duncannon.

 Join Hands was created to serve the needs of "our" Perry County neighbors.  You are our greatest resource!
In addition to staff, Join Hands Ministry operates with the guidance of more than 3,000+ volunteer hours.

 These volunteers are a core asset to aiding staff operations, service activities, programs, building management, special projects and keeping overhead costs at a minimum. Donate to Join Hands through,

• United Way #: 230249 
• Check: Join Hands Ministry 
• Online:  Click here
• Volunteer: Click here 

Here's the numbers,

• 7,339 Perry Countians received some kind of help from us at Join Hands Ministry.
• 431 PECO Students personally picked out school supplies, 
  • 300+ picked out new shoes (thank you Country Footwear & More)
  • 100+ received hair cuts (thank you Amy Beaston & Elizabeth Clark)
• 855 PECO Kiddos received an amazing Christmas 
  • ALL kiddos were sponsored.