Protectors' Peak
Board of Directors
Richard Abbey
​
Richard Abbey lives in Kootenai County, Idaho with his wife of over 20 years and has three children. He has two daughters at home and his oldest son is currently serving in the Army. He is active in ministry and is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for the military and first responders. Richard served his country in the 101st Airborne Air Assault Division and is a Desert Storm combat veteran. He is a small business owner and entrepreneur working as a land developer.
Mike Swecker
Mike has celebrated 50 years of marriage with Julie. They have three married children and six grandchildren all living in Minnesota. While he's had many bio-worthy adventures around the world over 50 years, his most powerful and noteworthy adventure was his life changing encounter with Jesus on May 13, 1988 at a Via de Cristo retreat weekend. He continued to volunteer in that ministry, eventually becoming its full-time Director for 10 years before being called to Hosanna Church in Lakeville. For two decades, he served Hosanna's four campuses as the Counseling and Prayer Pastor.
In November 2024, he retired from Hosanna to focus more on serving the law enforcement community. Mike serves as the Lead Chaplain for the Apple Valley Police Department, a role he has volunteered for over 14 years. He is also Chaplain for the South Metro Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 14. Additionally, he and Julie are part of the volunteer team for the South Metro Cities Cop Church. Mike enjoys his hobbies of firearms and being an "incurable motorhead". He and Julie share a passion for travel, having toured the lower 48 states on a motorcycle and exploring other parts of the world.
John Stanger
​
John was a police officer in Illinois and Minnesota for over 24 years. During his time in law enforcement, John was a patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT team member, evidence manager and event coordinator. John retired as Lieutenant in August of 2018.
John earned his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1988 and later earned his master’s degree in Public Safety Administration and Education from the University of St. Thomas in 2003.
​
John is now owner of a financial practice and is part of Valor Group – Thrivent. Their mission is to improve the financial wellness and retirement strategies of those who serve and their families.
John lives in Lakeville, Minnesota, with his lovely wife, Leah. They have two children, Nick, who lives in Minneapolis and Mira who is still in school. John’s family brings him great joy and were an oasis of stability during his law enforcement career. Christ is at the center of all and John is committed to helping others find rest and solace in Him.
Don Manning
Don Manning served 24 years as a deputy with Spokane County. His assignments included patrol, firearms instructor and armorer, motors, detectives and back to patrol retiring as a sergeant in 2014. Don concurrently served in the Washington National Guard for 22 yrs.
Don and his wife Gaylene married in 1988 and have 3 adult children and one grandchild. They currently serve as Village Missionaries in La Pine, Oregon, and Don is a volunteer chaplain for the local law enforcement and
fire service agencies. He also coaches his local JROTC air rifle team.
Don enjoys adventure motorcycle touring, shooting, camping with his wife, and occasionaly fishing.
Nate Harder
​
Nate Harder is the director of Protectors' Peak. He served in law enforcement for over twenty-six years holding positions as a police officer, field training officer, police trainer, detective, SWAT team member and leader, SWAT commander, Street Crimes officer, and Chief of Police. He is a former Marine and has been married to his wonderful wife, Becky, for twenty-six years. Nate has been blessed with four beautiful daughters who bring him joy. Nate's vision and passion is serving our servants and connecting them to Jesus Christ through solace, rest, and the beauty of creation.
Becky Harder
​
Becky Harder is the co-founder and associate director of Protectors' Peak. Her previous job experience involved working with children and families as an elementary and preschool teacher, children's pastor, coordinator of a parent mentor program, and executive director of a youth mentoring program. Becky considers her most cherished and loved job as being a stay-at-home mom and taking care of her four daughters. She has been married to her husband, Nate, for twenty eight wonderful years. She understands the challenges and joys of being a law enforcement family and all that it entails. Her passion is to see God move in the lives of those who are hurting and are ready to receive His healing, grace, and love.
Brett Westbrook
​
Brett Westbrook is a Minnesota native who loves to say that he once lived in Texas. Brett graduated from Bethel University where he met Nate Harder and Becky (Mott) Harder and they formed a friendship beginning in 1992.
Armed with a degree in teaching Spanish and coaching high school sports, Brett’s calling to police work rang loud only 3 years into his teaching career. Brett joined the Arlington, TX police department where he served as a Spanish translator for the midnight shifts, became a defensive tactics instructor and then moved into the gang unit working with Spanish-speaking gangs. He and Nate Harder continued their friendship in Arlington as their young families grew up together.
The Westbrook family moved back to Minnesota in 2004 after Brett’s wife, Angie, became ill with Lyme disease. Brett entered the MN State Patrol Trooper Candidate School and successfully graduated and continues to serve as a state trooper. He has assumed the roles of: mentor, defensive tactics instructor, Spanish instructor, canine handler, criminal interdiction instructor and is currently assigned to the State Capitol security detail. Brett has also coached high school hockey for much of his professional career and continues to apply his coaching skills to a high school girls’ hockey team.
Matt McClay
​
Matt McClay was born and raised in the northern suburbs of St. Paul MN. He attended Bethel University, graduating with a degree in Accounting and Finance. He went on to continue his education back at Bethel Seminary. Matt completed his Master of Divinity concentrating in Pastoral Care and Marriage and Family Therapy. After all of that he ended up in a career in software sales. Matt currently resides in Mounds View, Minnesota with his wife and three kids.
Tom Walton
​
Tom Walton and his wife, Joddie, live in Kootenai County, Idaho. He is a Marine Corps veteran and currently a detective and SWAT team member with the Spokane County Sheriff's Office in Washington. Also a part-time hunting and fishing guide, Tom has a passion for all things outdoors. He is excited to serve Jesus Christ by using his love for the outdoors to connect with people.
