Meet the team

The Growing Families Team is passionate about helping seminary families grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We hope to come alongside parents as they lead their children in forming a Christian worldview, a personal relationship with their Savior, and an understanding of God’s big story of redemption. Meet the team of people praying and working to cultivate this special season of growth.

Matt Barnes | Growing Families Grant Administrator and Vice President of Formation at Asbury Theological Seminary

Married to Alida, father of three boys.

Thoughts on leading children spiritually: “Kids are like sponges but they sop up actions way more than words. May the Lord help me line up my actions with my faith and to do so in front of my boys more and more!”

Jess Kennedy Gray | Growing Families Data Coordinator and Interim Director of IEA at ATS

Married to Chris, aunt to five awesome nieces and nephews.

Thoughts on leading children spiritually: “I love to ask kids questions about their faith, to hear how they understand and know God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Often, I find I grow in my faith after hearing their responses, and I have a better understanding of where they are to lead them more faithfully.”

Laura Hunter | Growing Families Program Director and ATS Mentor at Kalas Village

Married to Dave, mother of five children, mother-in-law to five, and best of all grandmother to seven beautiful grandchildren!

Thoughts on leading children spiritually: “Our children and grandchildren love tradition. We celebrate the Church year and special holidays together. These celebrations give children an opportunity to remember and rehearse God’s plan of redemption, and to recall God’s faithfulness to our family over the years.”

Medine Keener | Growing Families Project Coordinator and ATS Formation Ministries Coordinator

Married to Craig, mother to two children, mother-in-law to one lovely young lady, and grandmother to two wonderful grandchildren

Thoughts on leading children spiritually: “We take walks outside and look at God’s creation together. We enjoy the fruit from the garden and talk about how God created them. We dance to praise music together.”

Stephanie Peterson | Growing Families Creative Designer and homeschooling mom

Married to Matthew, mother to three children.

Thoughts on leading children spiritually: “In our home church, my favorite thing to do with children is to share communion. It is beautiful to watch them experience what Christ has done for them, and then partake in his body and blood through the juice and bread.”

Jenny Shockey | Growing Families Curriculum Designer and First Grade Teacher

Married to Brian, mother to four girls.

Thoughts on leading children spiritually: “I ask children, ‘If Jesus were sitting next to you what do you think he would say to you?’ My favorite children’s book is The Legend of the Three Trees. It’s a great picture of our dreams for our life and how God often fulfills those in ways we don’t expect, often better than our dreams.”

Valerie Stark | Growing Families Assistant Program Director and homeschooling mom

Married to Jason, mother to four girls.

Thoughts on leading children spiritually: “I love exposing our kids to music that writes God’s Word on their hearts. They can hear scripture and instantly connect it to a song they learned. It gives children confidence in their knowledge of Christian language and the Bible.”