Our Team – Different backgrounds with the same heart. 

Chris Haas, a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, serves as the President and Founder of Freedom 5:one Ministries. With a Master’s degree in Theology (Th.M.) from Dallas Theological Seminary, earned in 2007, he brings a diverse educational background to his work. Prior to founding Freedom 5:one Ministries, Chris spent a decade directing the college ministry, Student Mobilization at UCA. Following this, he worked as a Financial Adviser from 2007 to 2010. Motivated by a desire to promote financial health among families in NWA and beyond, he established the non-profit organization Freedom 5:one Ministries. Chris and his wife Tiffany, who have been married for nearly two decades, reside in Fayetteville, AR, where they raise their five children.

Tim Howington grew up in Central Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas with a BS degree in Computer Science Engineering.  While in college, Tim was actively involved in a collegiate  ministry that was to become Student Mobilization.  Upon graduation he joined the staff and ministered to college students for 14 year in a variety of roles.  Tim then spent a short stint of ministry with Fellowship Bible Church of NWA and Saline Community Church.  For the next decade he was involved with leading and promoting Restaurant Management Group in NW Arkansas.  He joined the Freedom 5:one Team in 2013.  Tim is a writer and has published two books: How to Manage Yourself when there is no Money to Manage and Trouble.  He blogs on the Freedom 5:one Blog and at TimHowington.com.  Tim has been married to his wife Terri for over 35 years and they have one adult son and live in Rogers, AR.

T.R. Laughlin, ( Coach T ) a seasoned entrepreneur with over 22 years of experience as a small business owner, has built a diverse background across industries such as restaurants, retail, property management, and commercial real estate. His expertise includes consulting for restaurants internationally, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of business ownership and the importance of strong financial acumen.

Born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, T.R. maintains a deep-rooted connection to his community and church. He attributes much of his success to the invaluable guidance and mentorship he has received, both professionally and spiritually, and he is dedicated to empowering others to achieve greater success in their financial health.

T.R. is married to Amy, a Licensed Professional Counselor with a private practice in Bentonville. Together they share life with Amy’s two adult children, ages 21 and 23.

Becky’s family is originally from Northeast Oklahoma, but her family moved to Colombia, South America when she was a baby. From a young age, Becky observed her parents serving in cross-cultural ministry with a remote indigenous group and it had a deep impact on her life. After graduating from high school, Becky spent some time volunteering at the mission school in Colombia. During that time, she met her husband, Miguel, who is from Venezuela, and they were married in 1996. Miguel and Becky returned to the US where Becky graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Elementary Education. After finishing their missionary training, they served in cross-cultural ministry for 20 years with several organizations in both Venezuela and Mexico. Becky has served in the area of Member Care (pastoral care for global workers) and offers financial coaching in Spanish. 

Miguel and Becky have 4 children, Micah (21), Gracia (19), Jojo (18) and Kai (15). Micah has been married to his wife, Katherine for 1 ½ years. The Aguirre family lives in Springdale, AR. 

Ed Phillips, a seasoned pastoral minister with 28 years of experience, has a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. Together with his wife Peggy, Ed has raised a family of three children. During their time in Columbia, Missouri, they actively engaged with Love Columbia, a community initiative called Extra Mile—a program designed to provide vital peer-to-peer financial coaching for individuals grappling with economic hardships. Having witnessed the transformative impact of Extra Mile firsthand, Ed is driven by a deep-seated desire to extend its reach to the community in Arkansas. His vision is to recruit and train a team of dedicated coaches, equipping them with the tools and skills necessary to guide individuals toward financial stability and independence. Through collaborative efforts and community involvement, Ed aims to establish Extra Mile as a cornerstone of support for those facing financial challenges in Arkansas.

Gina Hoffman serves as a Financial Coach and Program Administrator, where she combines her organizational skills with a passion for helping families find financial freedom. With a background in administration and years of experience in various financial sectors, including real estate and banking, Gina understands firsthand the challenges families face when working toward financial goals.

She brings a practical, encouraging approach to coaching, focusing on strategies that are simple, sustainable, and effective. Gina especially enjoys helping others create clear plans, build confidence, and experience peace in their financial journey.

Gina and her husband are raising four boys and enjoy the busy life that comes with a house full of teens and school-age children. She’s passionate about living simply, reading, spending time in nature, and creating a home filled with purpose and joy.

Joseph Osawo, born in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, is a seasoned professional with over 20 years in the insurance industry, where he served in various technical positions and also as a Business Development Manager. 

His experience in leadership, organizational growth, and people development continues to shape his ministry and community impact.

He currently serves as Senior Pastor of New Living Truth Church, Nairobi, where he preaches, disciples, and leads outreach initiatives. 

Academically, he holds a degree in Divinity together with diplomas in Ministry, Insurance, and Christian Leadership. Joseph is married to Diana Owuor Osawo, and together they are blessed with a son, Arnold Yongo.