Who is Reliant?
We were born in 1989 as a mission support agency for a small group of campus church planters. A lot's changed since then! (Less stonewashed jeans, for one).
Today we mobilize church planters and missionaries across like-minded missional groups and church-planting networks. As we've expanded our partnerships, we've adopted a new name. Yet our devotion to Jesus' command to "Go and make disciples..." remains. It's who we are.
Board Members
![Julie Thomas](https://reliantorg.blob.core.windows.net/missionaryphotos/images/default-source/leadership-and-office-staff-photos/julie-thomas.tmb-hero-large.jpg?sfvrsn=b01edf77_6")
Julie Thomas
Director of Human Resources at NeighborHealth Center
Board member since: 2025
About Julie: I began my career teaching high school English before transitioning to healthcare, where I've dedicated most of my professional life to enhancing patient and employee experiences. From 2020 to 2024, I served as HR Director at Reliant, stepping outside the healthcare sector for that period. I'm now the HR Director at NeighborHealth Center, a community health center in Raleigh, NC. When I'm not working, I cherish time with my husband and our two children.
I serve Reliant because: I'm grateful for Reliant's commitment to empowering local churches. I believe the church is God's chosen instrument to embody Christ's presence in the world. While churches are imperfect—sometimes gloriously messy, sometimes breathtakingly beautiful—God works powerfully through them. It's a privilege to serve with an organization dedicated to strengthening the church as it carries hope into the world.
A favorite scripture of mine is:But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:4-5
