Justine Hayes joined CITA in August 2025 as the Director of Fundraising. In this role, she has the privilege of inviting individuals, churches, and businesses to partner in making CITA’s programs and productions possible.

Justine earned her B.A. in Communication Arts from California Baptist University in 2010 and her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2022. In addition to her work with CITA, she serves as an adjunct professor at Lubbock Christian University, works as a birth doula, and pursues her passion as a writer. When she is not at work, Justine can be found enjoying hiking with family and friends, reading and writing poetry, and exploring holistic health.

Before moving to Lubbock in 2022, Justine and her husband, Ryan, served as missionaries in Kenya and Malawi. Soon after arriving in Lubbock, their children joined a CITA summer workshop, and the family has been a part of CITA ever since.

Justine’s favorite scripture is Psalm 40: 1-3.

“1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.”