Our Ecumenical Board of Directors

Nina Marie Corona, D. Min.

Founder & Executive Director

Nina is a speaker, author, and the creator of the educational and inspirational series, We Thirst: Christian Reflections on Addiction, which launched the AFIRE movement.

Nina possesses a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fordham University, a Master of Arts in Spirituality from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts from Muhlenberg College. She attained education certification in alcohol and drug counseling from Villanova University. In addition to We Thirst: Christian Reflections on Addiction, Nina is the author of: GRACED COLLABORATION: An Integrated Program for Addiction Recovery Based on the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, When on Earth (Discovering Christian Spirituality in the Daily Happenings of Ordinary Life), and Clear Bear (a children’s picture book).

On a more personal note, Nina has experienced first-hand the pain and havoc that addiction wreaks upon families and societies through the trials and tribulations of a loved one's addiction.  In her efforts to help her loved one, Nina has been through the challenges of family recovery, as well as the difficulties of navigating the systems that are currently in place to punish and/or treat the afflicted. She also knows that faith and community collaboration can have an invaluable and positive impact during these struggles — on both small and large scales.  You can learn more about Nina and her other ministry by visiting: www.ninamariecorona.com.

Mark Corona, B.S., President

Mark’s lifelong passion for service was fulfilled in a meaningful way when he began working with his wife (and AFIRE founder) Nina in 2015 on her popular We Thirst: Christian Reflections on Addiction series.  He continued to work alongside Nina in the early stages of the AFIRE ministry, while simultaneously working as a senior manager for a Fortune 500 company.  In 2018, Mark made the decision to retire early from his thirty-four year corporate career to devote his time and talent completely to the AFIRE mission.  

Mark possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Montclair State University. He has received numerous awards from FedEx Corporation for his outstanding leadership skills over the years.  As the General Manager for both AFIRE and We Thirst Ministries, Mark now lends his extensive business knowledge to these important ministries.

Mark has been married to Nina for forty-one years. Together they have two adult daughters and two grandsons.

The Rev. Dr. John A. Krivak, M. Div., Ph.D. Director

Father Krivak was ordained a Catholic priest in 1982.  Prior to his priestly ordination he earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pennsylvania.  He was then assigned to high school ministry and earned his Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

In 1992, Father Krivak was assigned to campus ministry at Muhlenberg and Cedar Crest Colleges in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  During his tenure as chaplain, he earned his Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in Contemporary Catholic Systematic Theology from Fordham University in New York City.  He has extensive experience educating at the high school and college levels, and he received several awards for his excellence in teaching.

As a theologian and ethicist, Father Krivak’s interests vary considerably, and he has participated in national conferences on topics ranging from values education to military ethics. Presently, Father Krivak serves as the Medical Ethicist and the Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue for the Diocese of Allentown.  He also serves as the Pastor of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus in Hellertown, Pennsylvania.  His greatest joy is found in priesthood and the many treasured friendships that have resulted from his ministry.  

Joe Knaap, B.S., Director

Joining in his wife’s family music ministry led Joe on a path of sharing his Christian faith in a way he never would have imagined.  Joe has participated in various Christian gospel groups over the past thirty years, and he is now a member of the gospel group Freely Given. Joe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1987.   He has worked as a project engineer and continues to work as a project manager. Joe has been married to Robin Rader for thirty years and has two grown children and two grandchildren.  

Hope Adeline Claypoole, M.A., HRCI-PHR, SHRM-CP, Director

Hope Adeline Claypoole is a passionate advocate for social change and community empowerment. With over 27 years of experience in human and social services as an HR/Operations Director and Workforce Counselor, Hope has dedicated her career to creating avenues for underserved clients, employees, and applicants to help gain access to resources and opportunities in both the for-profit and nonprofit environments.

Hope earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management from Muhlenberg College, a Master’s in Business Management from Eastern College, two Human Resources Certifications, HRCI-PHR and SHRM-CP, and two certifications in Grant Proposal Writing. She currently works with the Boyertown Area Multi-Service, an independent nonprofit organization, as their Operations Director and Grant Proposal Writer. Hope also has experience managing a successful, medium-sized, family-owned home healthcare organization, which her mother started in 1982 and is still operated by her mother and family.

Hope believes that everyone needs God in their life and that spreading His word provides comfort, hope, peace, and security.