Bernadette Fischer

bernadette@prismpgh.org

Bernadette joined PRISM staff in the fall of 2020 after over a decade as a volunteer with PRISM via Hebron Church. She is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and spent a semester abroad studying in Spain. It was there that she experienced the generous hospitality of locals who took interest in her, helped her acclimate to the culture and have a more authentic experience. Bernadette continued her education later in life and received an M.Ed from PITT. Over the years she has taught Spanish, Reading and ESL to people of all ages. Bernadette has two adult sons and an adopted a schwiener dog named Oliver. You can find her helping out with English Conversation Group, Women's Ministry, Friday Night Open House and other programs and trips. She loves to meet students and help them feel welcome here in Pittsburgh.

Rachel Johns

rachel@prismpgh.org

Rachel grew up in State College, PA and northern China. She came to know Jesus when she was 3 and a half years old and has been passionate about sharing her faith ever since. She received a BS in Human Development & Family Studies and a minor in Chinese from The Pennsylvania State University- GO LIONS! Rachel has worked with international students at her alma mater, in the Arab world and in Pittsburgh. She has been on staff with PRISM ever since she married her handsome husband Michael and moved to the area in the fall of 2019. Rachel is regularly involved in Communications, Open House, Holiday Hosting, Bible study and is a Friendship Partner. Rachel enjoys live music, learning languages and reading.

Vikki Seto

vikki@prismpgh.org

Vikki joined PRISM staff as the Director of Finance in 2021. She grew up in Hong Kong and graduated from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a BA in Accountancy. She has experience as a CPA in both Hong Kong and the US. She worked for PwC Hong Kong before moving on to manage an accounting team at a luxury retail company in Beijing. Vikki has travelled to various countries in Asia, the Middle East and Europe. One of her favorite things is exploring other cultures through the uniqueness of customs, activities and food. Vikki got connected with PRISM through her involvement at the Pittsburgh Chinese Church Oakland, where she and her husband Bobby serve on the Missions Committee. Vikki and Bobby were amazed at how God connected them through a dating app and led them to meet and serve on a short term mission trip together in the Philippines. They maintained a long distance courtship between Hong Kong and Pittsburgh before getting married in Pittsburgh in August 2018. Vikki and Bobby enjoy cooking Paleo style Western and Asian dishes together. They also love traveling and playing Scrabble.

Tim Shine

tim@prismpgh.org

Growing up in Oregon, Tim went on to earn a BS in Agriculture from Oregon State University in 1983. After graduating, he worked in Seattle, Washington for several years. Later, sensing God's redirection, Tim moved to Michigan to study the Bible. At the same time, volunteer work for World Vision radically changed Tim's life trajectory giving him a passion for people of the world. Soon Tim found himself completing his Masters in Intercultural Studies from South Carolina where he would later meet his wife Judy. In 1999, Tim and Judy put their masters degrees into practice by relocating to a restricted access country in Asia where they did discipleship training, English teaching, and taught marriage enrichment classes. They joined staff with PRISM in September of 2020. Tim enjoys meeting international students & scholars, learning new cultures, and enjoys speaking Mandarin. His areas of passion include leading Discovery Bible Studies as well teaching principles on relationship & family development. Tim enjoys most racquet sports (growing up on ping pong), delights in the outdoors, loves Asian food (but needs his hamburgers) and enjoys watching movies with his 2 daughters and wife Judy.

Judy Shine

judy@prismpgh.org

Judy graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a BS in information science. She worked as a programmer analyst before attending seminary, receiving an MA in intercultural studies at Columbia International University, where she met her husband Tim. In 1999-2019, Judy embraced God’s call to “go” and serve in a restricted country in Asia with her husband. What a privilege to witness God’s transforming work and experience street food and night markets! Judy enjoys engaging in Discovery Bible Studies, evangelism, discipleship, and marriage enrichment discussions. God also blessed them with two lovely daughters, Priscilla and Mikaela. While on home assignment in 2020, God redirected Judy and Tim to “stay” in the U.S. and join the welcoming, fun-loving and Christ-centered PRISM family as staff.

Farshid Rezaee

farshid@prismpgh.org

Born in Iran, Farshid came to know about Christ when one popular Iranian newspaper surprisingly published the Sermon on the Mount. That half a page changed his life and was the only “Bible” he had for years. He did his B.A and M.A in English Literature. Once he read an article on Paradise Lost which argued that for God to be just and merciful at the same time, He had to pay the penalty for humans’ sins! Farshid’s heart changed but he had to hide his faith for years. Leaving his job as a lecturer, he moved to Malaysia where he lived as a refugee for 12 years and taught apologetics and preached at churches, camps and universities. In August 2022, he was resettled in Pittsburgh where God led him to PRISM.

Farshid is passionate about evangelism and apologetics and tries to use the God-given gift of being a super extrovert to talk to international students! He loves coming up with puns!

Melissa Loizes

melissa@prismpgh.org

Melissa joined the PRISM team in September 2024. She had heard about and supported PRISM through her church, Beverly Heights, then applied for the marketing and development position after learning about it from a friend. Melissa has taught high school English, worked in a communications firm (where she met her husband!), stayed home with her now-college-student son, worked at the local library, and done freelance editing and proofreading on and off for various firms. She is excited to work for an organization with such a rich history of ministry and outreach. In her free time, Melissa loves to "play in the kitchen," paint animals and scenery, sing, and spend time with family. She is a deacon at her church, member of the adult Christian education committee there, and a board member for a local nature conservancy in her neighborhood.