About Our Speakers

Kim Boswell

Kimberly G. Boswell was sworn in as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health on December 16, 2020. Boswell has more than 36 years of experience working with individuals with mental illness, substance use disorders, and developmental disabilities.

She earned her Master of Social Work from the Florida State University College of Social Work in 1984, with a specialization in planning and program evaluation. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Boswell previously served as Chief of Staff, Associate Commissioner for Administration, and Director of Human Resources for the Department. Over the course of her career, she worked as a planner to improve human service delivery systems, a program evaluator, a School to Work transition coordinator, and also served as the state office administrator for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services.

Boswell is a member of the National Academy for State Health Policy and the Long Term and Chronic Care Committee. She is also a member of the Mescal’s Children Center for Hope Board, which is a Christian ministry serving children in Kenya.

Boswell’s goals for mental health include furthering an accessible, interconnected, effective, and just system of care for individuals served by the Department of Mental Health.

Learn More: mh.alabama.gov/commissioner

Jeff Hand

Jeff was born again in 2008, then shortly after, he began visiting government housing communities in Montgomery to share the gospel. This led to outreaches in those housing projects through Inner City Evangelism, an organization he helped start.

In 2011, the Hands moved their family to Village Green in efforts to minister incarnationally to their neighbors. In 2013, their family moved into the Washington Park community.

Jeff served on staff with House to House until 2014, and then transitioned to Strong Tower at Washington Park, where he served as the missions pastor. Today, Jeff and Jennifer operate a nonprofit ministry, Fishers Farm, which is a residential discipleship home that exists to serve people of all backgrounds who struggle with the addiction of drugs, alcohol, and other life dominating sins.

The Hands are currently members at Gateway Baptist Church. Jeff is also a CABC addictions counselor, and in the process of ACBC certification.

Jeff and his wife, Jennifer, have five children: Faith, Meli, Hannah, Izzy, and Elisabeth.

Learn More: www.fishersfarm.org

Crissa Letson

Following her own healing journey, Crissa’s first call into ministry was through the world of counseling. During this vocational season, she worked as a college career counselor and in the mental health agency setting. Crissa’s second call was into pastoral ministry. She is currently living that out as Pastor of Missions at Asbury Church in Madison AL. While her own vocational path has taken various stops along the way, the intersection of faith and emotional and mental health is a place of deep passion for her.

Crissa has been married to Greg (aka “Greg the Husband”) for 24 years and it just keeps on getting better! They have a feisty rescue dog named Penny and some very special kiddos in their lives they love deeply.

Learn More: weareasbury.com