The Nehemiah Project: Our Story
In the Beginning
Carl Christiansen
Visionary Founder & Clinical Advisor
Carl Christiansen is the visionary founder of The Nehemiah Project in Palatka, Florida. A devoted minister, mentor, and servant leader, Carl has spent decades in ministry and outreach, passionately serving those battling addiction, brokenness, and hopelessness.
After years of prayer and preparation, Carl and Jeremy Rea together birthed the long-prayed-over vision for The Nehemiah Project—a faith-inspired mission to bring restoration, recovery, and revival to the community through peer support, ministry, and education.
Much like the biblical story of David and Solomon, Carl faithfully carried the vision and, in God’s timing, entrusted it to Jeremy to build and lead. Even after passing the mantle, Carl has remained deeply involved as a Clinical Advisor to the Board of The Nehemiah Project, offering his wisdom, experience, and guidance to ensure the mission stays true to its purpose.
His humility, faith, and enduring dedication continue to inspire the ongoing work of rebuilding lives and restoring the community one person at a time.
Building the Vision
Jeremy Rea
Board President
Jeremy Rea serves as the Board President of The Nehemiah Project, where he leads with clarity, direction, and a heart for restoration. A man in long-term recovery for 14 years, Jeremy understands firsthand the power of hope, support, and community in transforming lives.
Alongside Carl Christiansen, Jeremy helped lead and shape the vision for The Nehemiah Project—a faith-inspired mission to bring healing and revival to individuals and families affected by addiction.
In addition to his leadership, Jeremy is a devoted husband, a proud father of four boys, a skilled electrician by trade, and a minister of the Bible, sharing his recovery through both word and action. His leadership reflects his unwavering belief that no one is beyond restoration and that rebuilding lives and communities begins one person at a time.
Jeremy has selflessly served the recovery community for over a decade, providing hope and healing to hundreds of people held captive by the disease of addiction and he’s just getting started. “Recovery is not just possible, it’s available and attainable, some people just need a little help getting there.”
Alongside the Builder
Melissa Rea
Partner in Purpose
Alongside Jeremy’s leadership, his wife, Melissa Rea, stepped in as a partner in purpose, bringing clarity, direction, and vision to expand the mission’s reach. With her heart for people and her strategic guidance, Melissa helped shape the next phase of The Nehemiah Project’s work, ensuring it continued to meet the growing needs of the community.
“There is no wrong way to recover.” “Our goal is to help others find their personal, individualized path to recovery, not to create it for them.”
Through their shared faith and commitment to recovery, Melissa and Jeremy helped establish Recovery Point, a recovery residence providing safe, supportive housing for individuals rebuilding their lives. They also spearheaded the creation of a recovery pod in the Putnam County jail, offering hope and rehabilitation to incarcerated individuals, launched a recovery high school to support teens in recovery, and founded a Recovery Café, a welcoming, peer-driven space for healing and connection.
Their vision and collaboration did not stop in Putnam County. Recognizing the need in neighboring communities, Melissa and Jeremy branched into Alachua County, bringing their experience, encouragement, and spirit of collaboration to support others on the path to recovery. Together, their leadership continues to inspire and empower individuals and communities to believe that restoration is possible—one life at a time.
“Let us rise up and build.” – Nehemiah 2:18
In-Office Peer
Marlene Goins
Marlene Goins is a dedicated professional and community advocate with three years of continuous recovery. As an active member and service volunteer in the Volusia County chapter of Narcotics Anonymous, Marlene is passionate about supporting others on their recovery journeys.
Originally from Putnam County and now a proud resident of Volusia County, Marlene is a mother of three boys, a grandmother of two girls, and a committed mentor with the Volusia County Take Stock in Children program and The Junior League of Daytona Beach. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management and works professionally in the business insurance industry for Brown & Brown, Inc.
Marlene has also served as an advisory board member for the Putnam County chapter of the American Red Cross, demonstrating her long – standing commitment to community service and leadership.