Missy Johnson Hiltner serves as Associate Regional Director in Western Great Lakes Region. Missy grew up in East Lansing, MI, where she was first involved with Young Life as a student participant of the Greater Lansing area. She grew up in the ministry starting at age 14—led WyldLife as a high school student, became a leader as a college student at Michigan State, and volunteered for various camps throughout her early 20s. Most significantly, she got to be part of Young Life’s Colorado adventure camp, Wilderness Ranch, as a backpacking guide, and then guide team leader from 2011 through 2015.
Missy earned her undergraduate degree in business from Grand Valley State University. When she graduated in 2015 she moved to Northern Michigan to work in sales and marketing. She loved the area so much that she decided to stay, even when she realized this calling into vocational ministry. Missy served as kids ministry director for a local church before finally joining Young Life staff in 2021 as the regional coordinator for YoungLives, YL’s outreach to adolescent parents. Missy has a masters degree in clinical mental health counseling from Western Michigan University, and is currently working towards a masters of divinity degree from Fuller Seminary.
Missy lives in Detroit with her husband Philip and their fun, medium-sized pup, Finney. She’s an avid runner and sourdough bread baker. When she’s not visiting Northern Michigan for work or to spend time with friends, Missy and Philip usually visit specialty coffee shops, read, cook and eat ethnic food, or cultivate their double-lot city garden.