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Chris joined Sparrow in October of 2021 as the Business Operations Manager, after volunteering with us on several occasions.
“As a teen mom myself, I had always hoped I could find a way to mentor young women who found themselves in similar situations. God placed The Sparrow’s Nest on my heart many years ago. I am excited to be a part of an organization that truly has the desire to help young families grow; both spiritually and as a family unit”.
Chris and her husband, Bill, have 4 children and 6 grandchildren. Her family is her passion, but she also enjoys interior decorating, all things craft related and spending quiet time watching the sunset with her husband.
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Rebecca graduated from Missouri State University with her Master’s in Social Work in May of 2021. She is passionate about serving others and working with children and teens. For Rebecca, one of the most exciting aspects of working at the Sparrow’s Nest is the opportunity to be a light for Christ and to love on the girls while also empowering them to work towards their personal goals.
Rebecca and her husband, Adam, attend Waypoint Church and serve in the youth ministry. In her free time, Rebecca loves running, spending time with family and friends, and doing anything active outside. Rebecca is excited to see God continually work through this ministry!
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Katie joined the Sparrow team in January of 2021, and brings a wealth of experience in trauma-informed residential care. She has a master’s degree from Wheaton College, and previously worked with immigrant and refugee families in the Chicago area before moving to Saint Louis to work with foster youth.
Katie is passionate about caring for children and youth from hard places, and believes that relationships can heal what relationships hurt. She is excited about bringing a trauma-informed perspective to the Nest, and loves the community support around this ministry.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time outside, and growing all sorts of plants.
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Kim has been involved at The Sparrow’s Nest since 2015, first as a volunteer and then as part of the staff. She is passionate about the work Sparrow is doing to love on teen mamas and loves to share that passion with others. Kim’s dog, Zoey, can also often be found hanging out at the Nest with the staff and mamas.
When not at the Nest, Kim enjoys spending time with her family and loves all things puppies, plants, and puzzles.
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Rebekah is a member of Grace Baptist Church in St. Charles and has been going there the past 28 years. While at GBC she has been and still is involved in various ministries that she loves. She works in the nursery and is the Director of the Cubbies Awana program. She is a staff worker in the Grace Student Ministries (GSM) high school class. Rebekah loves to sing and is a member of her church choir. She also volunteers to go with her church one week out of the year to a church camp.
“I am beyond excited to be apart of the Sparrow’s Nest family and team. God has given me a great love and desire for people….teens and children especially, and to spread His word. I know God led me to this ministry to help others learn and grow in Him…to help those who feel lost, alone and hopeless. For years I have felt like I needed and could do so much more for God and others but I just didn’t know what that was…now I know. I love these young ladies and their children so much and I want them to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, the Creator. God began a great work here at Sparrow and He is far from finished with it. I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store for His little Sparrows and the Nest!”
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Alyson was born and raised in the St. Louis area and has been a member of First Assemblies of God St. Peters for 5 years. She is a Family Studies and Social Work major and Spanish minor at College of the Ozarks.
“I believe God lays all things upon us to equip us for our journey. Even the worst of events reveal God’s plan in time. My trials and celebrations lead me to who and where I am today.
When I was young, I dreamed of changing the world. This dream guided me towards working in the helping profession. While I may not change the world in this profession, I have the opportunity to change one person’s world for the better.
After I complete college I hope to work in developmental or attachment therapy. The bond between mothers and their child is beautiful and I believe it is to be cherished and protected.
I strive to serve others well, find God in all things, and remain youthful at heart.”
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
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Christin graduated from College of the Ozarks in December 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minor in family studies. She grew up in St. Charles, Missouri and has attended Grace Community Chapel with her family since 2008. Christin has also served at Strong Tower Ranch for many years as a summer camp counselor and mentor to young girls in the horsemanship program, using equine activities to build confidence and develop leadership tools.
“Attending summer camp as a kid was so impactful that I was inspired to pursue education and vocational opportunities to work with kids. Through my college experience, I learned about child development and the importance of safe and loving relationships. Immediately after I graduated, I spent six months as a live-in support parent at a residential foster home, Coyote Hill Christian Children’s Home. After I finished my time with Coyote Hill, God brought me back to the St. Louis area and I began looking for a job that involved working with and ministering to people that come from hard places. I had heard of The Sparrow’s Nest from a few different friends and I knew I wanted to be part of the work God is doing through this ministry! I am so excited to do life with everyone involved at the Nest and look forward to serving God by serving others.”
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Hannah attends Matthias Lot Church and is involved with a Lot Family there. She meets weekly with a spiritual accountability partner, and receives Godly wisdom and prayer from a spiritual mentor every week as well. Hannah has studied Counseling in the Behavioral Ministry program at Saint Louis Christian College, and is currently studying at Guarded Heart Bible College. With the help of a tutor she hopes to become fluent in Spanish soon.
Growing up, Hannah was a part of American Heritage Girls for 6 years, and received the highest level award called the Stars and Stripes. Part of achieving this award required her to complete a project that included a certain amount of service hours, raising money through fundraisers, and documenting every step of the process. She chose to do her project for the girls at The Covering House (in St. Louis) who are survivors of human trafficking.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the many ways that have brought me to The Sparrow’s Nest, and the timing of everything, is all a part of God’s plan for my life. It now makes sense to me why recently there have been six young (& most times single) girls dealing with a crisis pregnancy, that I’ve been able to walk alongside and help. God strategically placed these girls in my life so I can learn from them, and so that He could use these experiences to lead me to this ministry. I have been given this unique and meaningful opportunity to be here, and I KNOW that I am at The Sparrow’s Nest for such a time as this.”
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
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Brittany graduated from Lindenwood University in 2016 with a degree in Christian Ministry Studies. She has been attending Lifepoint Church in O’Fallon for 7 years. She currently works full time as a teacher and will work at The Sparrow’s Nest on the weekends.
“I have worked with children for pretty much my entire life, whether it be in kids’ church or working at a school, and I absolutely love it! I’m excited and blessed to start this new journey of faith helping new mamas and babies. I knew at a young age God was calling me into the mission field but I wasn’t sure actually how that was going to look. I had a professor once tell me that anywhere you are is your mission field. From that day forward I knew I was to love God’s people just like He loves us through my actions, my words but most importantly in my heart.”
John 15:12: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
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Lydia managed a non profit coffee shop in Troy, MO where the proceeds went to build and support a medical clinic in Jinja, Uganda. She currently attends Passion City Church online with her husband and son.
“I have a heart for young moms and the life changing journey that motherhood is. I hope to one day open up my own coffee shop that gives single mothers the opportunity to work and care for their child under the same roof. I believe that teaching life skills and giving opportunities for success is a beautiful way to show Jesus’ love and grace to all.”
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8
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Michele and her family attend Church on the Rock. She is a wife, mother of 6 (4 boys and 2 girls), and a soon-to-be grandmother.
“When I turned 40 I was wanting more in life. I prayed day and night asking God to send me in the right direction. I stumbled on The Sparrow’s Nest and my eyes watered. I had been a 17 year old mother. I knew this was my calling! I am blessed to be able to help these young mothers in their life journey.”
She is Clothed in Strength and Dignity and She Laughs Without Fear. ~Proverbs 31:25~
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Olivia was born and raised in the St. Louis area, the oldest of four siblings, two of which were born with special needs. Throughout life art and family have been the focus. First attending university to get a degree in Studio Art she discovered the world of art therapy and knew that was the calling God had placed on her life. She is currently working on the last leg of her bachelor’s degree and plans to enroll in a master’s program in order to become a licensed art therapist.
“My family’s church has worked with The Sparrow’s Nest in the past and I felt drawn to their story and mission, but, at the time, was unable to do more than what the church was already doing. I am working towards a degree in expressive arts therapy and have felt called to work with women and children in homes like Sparrow’s.
“I was looking for a second job when I saw the call for Family Coaches and it was like the light bulb finally went off. God knew I was finally in the right place and placed this opportunity to work with those I feel called to help. While I still work towards my degree I can be here to uplift and support these young women in what I know, have learned, and am learning to help them reach their goals and be ready for life outside the Nest.”
Cynthia studied at STLCC in Early Childhood Development. She is a former Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and is currently a preschool teacher. Children are her passion and she aspires one day to be a kindergarten teacher. She attends Prospect Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Cynthia is also a devoted mother to a 5 year old.
“I feel as though it’s my duty to serve others because I’ve been on the receiving end plenty of times. I was a teen mother that overcame a lot of the same obstacles that the girls face so I can relate.”