Meet the Founders

Their love story is more than romantic—it’s restorative. It’s the reason this ministry exists.

Joe’s resilience and Debbie’s vision became a living testimony: that when you build what you love, you live what God designed.

How They Met: A Love Story Rooted in Redemption

Joe and Debbie met online in 2016—two souls, each divorced twice, each yearning to share the rest of their lives with someone who truly understood the weight of survival and the joy of second chances. Joe’s first message was simple but unforgettable: *“Pick me, pick me, pick me.”* And she did.

They were older, wiser, and ready. Their love didn’t come fast—it came faithfully. Proof that it’s never too late for God to send you what you deserve in the form of a perfect match. What started as a spark quickly grew into a partnership grounded in faith, creativity, and healing.

Joe, quiet and observant, watched the world to learn how to move through it. Debbie, full of discernment and drive, noticed he was watching her—and chose to model hope, momentum, and holy restoration. Together, they turned date nights at the Cincinnati Public Library Makerspace into sacred ground. Surrounded by green screens, button makers, and 3D printers, they saw what creativity could do for underprivileged kids—and for each other.

True Theatre - Barbara Bush Story 2017

Debbie Scott

In 2017, I stood on stage—scared to death but deeply determined—to share my story before hundreds in the audience.** That moment, now captured and shared on the TrueTheatre website, marked a sacred turning point. I committed to stop running from the fear of dysfunction and instead face it with faith.

Joe was in the audience that day, rooting me on with quiet strength and unwavering love. His presence reminded me that I wasn’t alone—and that healing, when witnessed by someone who truly sees you, becomes holy ground.

I didn’t speak to shame anyone. I spoke to offer a path toward healing. By letting God’s plan unfold publicly, I hoped to show that restoration is possible, even in families marked by silence, struggle, or pain. My story is a testimony—not of blame, but of breakthrough.

Debbie Scott

Joe Stump — Co-Founder, Survivor, Visionary

Joe is the quiet heartbeat behind *Stump & Soul Ministries*. A survivor in every sense, Joe has faced life-threatening health battles since his twenties—heart failure, liver complications, and the long shadow of COVID. But through it all, his will to live has been nothing short of miraculous. His faith is alive and kicking, and his purpose is stitched into every corner of this ministry.

Joe learns by watching. It’s how he’s always moved through the world—with quiet observation, deep discernment, and a gentle spirit. In 2016, he met Debbie online with a message that changed everything: *“Pick me, pick me, pick me.”* She did—and together, they built a ministry rooted in second chances, creative healing, and holy restoration.

Joe didn’t just bring love—he brought Hannah, a 160-pound Mastiff and living answer to Debbie’s 18-year prayer for a dog. Hannah was his other great love, a one-of-a-kind companion whose presence shaped the ministry’s sense of hospitality and comfort. Her passing broke Joe’s heart, deepening his pain but also expanding the ministry’s legacy.

Today, Joe is the co-founder, encourager, and quiet visionary behind *Stump & Soul*. He’s the reason we believe healing is possible. His resilience is our blueprint. His story is living proof that it’s never too late for God to send you what you deserve—in the form of love, purpose, and a perfect match.

Joe’s health is a miracle.  

His will to live defies every diagnosis, and his faith is alive and kicking.  

Purpose fuels him. Love surrounds him. And every breath he takes is proof that God’s plan is still unfolding.