Ordinary Couples. Eternal Impact.

The Harvest Is Plentiful… But the Houseparents Are Few.

What is Show-Me’s greatest limitation in helping more children?

It’s not funding. It’s not facilities. It’s houseparents — Christian couples who are willing to walk with vulnerable children through life as a family. Right now, every one of our families is full, yet the calls of young lives in crisis keep coming in. The heartbreaking reality? We have houses that could welcome more children, but they sit empty, waiting for new houseparents to lead them.

What does it take to be houseparents?

Houseparents aren’t experts with fancy degrees or years of specialized training. They’re married couples who answer God’s invitation to the ministry of parenting. They live in fully furnished homes provided by Show-Me — homes designed not to feel like an institution, but a safe place to heal and grow as a healthy Christian family.

They do what every parent does: cook meals, help with homework, drive to appointments, and tuck children in at night after prayers. They teach life skills — how to do laundry, how to budget, and how to say “I’m sorry” when you made your sister cry. They take family vacations, celebrate birthdays, and are the kids’ biggest cheerleader. They create a home where children are free to be kids again and begin learning to trust.

Actions Not Words

For many of these kids, trust is not easy. After living through instability, loss, or trauma, they have built defenses to survive. Sometimes love feels foreign, even threatening. What their actions are really asking is: Can I trust you? Will you still love me if I push you away?

Ultimately, the role of a houseparent is about building trust. Trust that makes it safe for a child to open their heart to accept help, receive guidance, and take steps toward healing. Trust is built in the consistent, everyday moments of family life—where actions, not words, let love patiently chip away at the enemy’s lies until their heart finally hears God’s voice of truth: “You are lovable. You matter. You belong.”

All Shapes, All Sizes

Houseparents come from different backgrounds with different gifts. But they share a common thread: a passion for children and a desire to live out the Gospel. Many have served in churches, missions, foster care, and youth ministry. While each role was rewarding, they know God is calling them to something more.

The Sniders: Wounds to Bridges

Neither Krystal nor Ronnie Snider grew up in Christian homes. For both, family was a painful word marked by divorce, alcoholism, and trauma. Everything changed when they gave their lives to Christ in their mid-twenties and learned how to become a functioning family.

Ronnie felt a growing pull toward youth ministry, but how could he go to college full-time, pay for his degree, and still care for his growing family of three? Doing ministry together as a family at Show-Me was the answer. Ronnie could still be the husband and father his children needed while investing daily in teens through his love for sports. “Some of the best conversations come when you’re just shooting hoops,” he shared.

Krystal loves helping each child discover their own interests, whether it’s playing outside, cooking, sports, or asking questions about faith. “God has shown His goodness in taking my wounds and turning them into bridges to help these children find the same healing and redemption I found in Christ.”

The Thomases: Led Across States to Serve

Rich and Erin Thomas are no strangers to a full house. When they married 13 years ago, they blended their two families, raising nine children in Virginia together, including two girls of their own. When the older seven became adults and moved out, the Thomases found themselves at a crossroads.

They felt a stirring toward missions, but where and how was unclear. God would soon give Rich the answer. At a missions conference, one booth stood out — Show-Me Christian Youth Home. He stepped forward, asked questions, and sensed this might be the piece they had been missing. The family prayed and, a few weeks later, toured the main campus. “Even though we were visitors, it felt like we were coming home,” Rich recalls.

A few months later, the Thomases made it official. “We love that we get to be ourselves and simply be a family,” Erin said. “We love having devotions around the dinner table, then going for a walk to give the kids a chance to ask questions. Just being able to talk through life situations and bring it all back to God.”

The Stilfields: Foster Parents to Houseparents

Brad and Jessica Stilfield always dreamed of a large family. When they learned they couldn’t have their own children, they became foster parents with hopes of adoption. Over six years, they fostered 14 children and were able to adopt four children into their forever family.
While foster care allowed them to pour into children’s lives, it also left them feeling drained and unsupported. At work, Jessica felt frustrated by the limits placed on sharing her faith in a professional setting. Brad’s long work hours kept him away from home more than he wanted. In foster care, when emergencies arose—help could be up to a full day away, depending on the heavy caseloads of well-meaning but overworked social workers. And if they needed a break or faced unexpected situations like illness, it was up to them to call through a list, hoping to find someone to step in.

Knowing their situation, a family member mentioned that Show-Me was looking for more houseparents. Feeling led, they applied. Praying on the drive to their interview, it felt like God gave them a sign they couldn’t miss. “When we said ‘Amen,’ the Show-Me billboard was right in front of us.”

In 2020, the Stilfields joined the Show-Me family. “Here, we have more time to pour into the kids,” Jessica shares. “We don’t have to split our attention between another full-time job and parenting — this is our calling, and we get to live it every day.”

Their home is filled with laughter. “We love having fun with the kids and letting them know it’s okay to joke with adults and have fun — there’s just a time and a place for it,” Brad smiles. “We’ll have Nerf wars, but afterward, everyone knows we clean up together.”

The Stilfields no longer worry about the unexpected emergencies in the middle of the night. They know they are never alone. “We’re one big family who can always rely on each other for prayer and support whenever needed.”

The Eades: A Mission Field Found at Home

Jeff and Laura Eades had spent much of their lives on mission around the world. Jeff worked as a videographer for an international children’s ministry; Laura traveled to 35 countries sharing the Gospel. They met stateside and married a year later. Years of constant travel took its toll. They longed to start a family and prayed for a children’s ministry in the U.S. where they could serve together.

A friend, who was starting a youth home encouraged the Eades to visit Show-Me to catch the vision of all that a youth home could be. “We didn’t just catch the vision — we fell in love with Show-Me and asked for an application,” Jeff said.

In the summer of 2014, the Eades began their Show-Me family. Since then, 25 children have found a home filled with creativity and conversation. Jeff uses art, music, and crafts to build confidence and help kids open up. Laura loves to play cards, board games, and ping pong — anything to engage them and build relationships. As Jeff explains, “their hobbies often become the gateway to talk about bigger things.”

The Partons: Generational Change

Ken and Emilee Parton looked like they had it all. Ken climbed the corporate ladder to become a district manager for a national chain, while Emilee ran her own business. But as they considered what truly mattered —family and God’s greater purpose — they questioned if the cost of success was worth the strain it put on their lives.

The couple had always dreamed of having a larger family. But after miscarriages and losing a child shortly after birth, their family remained at three with one healthy daughter. Their prayer eventually became: “Lord, please give us a bigger family.”

God would answer that prayer in an unexpected way. Listening to Show-Me give an update at church, they heard about the ministry’s need for houseparents. Feeling the Spirit’s nudge, Ken and Emilee stepped forward.

Over the next 13 years, after welcoming 52 children into their home, the Partons’ family continues to grow. No longer children, many have graduated, are working, and started families of their own. Yet each year, the kids return “home” for the holidays to gather around the Parton’s table to be with their family and pass the traditions on to the next generation.

A front-row seat to miracles

Houseparenting isn’t a path to wealth or easy schedules. But, if you’re chasing something deeper than a paycheck, you’ll find it here. You’ll see it in the eyes of a child who dares to believe she is loved. You’ll hear it as a once “troubled” teen thanks you in his graduation speech. You’ll feel it as a child holds your hand and asks to be baptized.

You’ll have hard days — but they’ll be meaningful ones. You’ll go to bed tired, but fulfilled. And over time, you’ll realize something extraordinary: your life mattered in ways most people only dream about.

By JayKayCee|2025-06-27T16:31:40-05:00June 27th, 2025|Categories: Children, Houseparent|

The Journey of the Men of the Graduating Class of 2025

Boys to Men

Becoming a man is not simply a matter of age or physical strength—it is about integrity. A boy does not become a man overnight, nor does it happen without struggle. It is through personal responsibility, determination, faith, and perseverance that he transforms, shapes his character, and defines his future. The journey of the four young men of the Show-Me Christian School (SMCS) Class of 2025 has been one of challenges faced and overcome. These principles mold boys into men of integrity, who will build a life not just for themself, but for those they will one day lead, serve, and protect.

An Answer for Everything

Learning to take personal responsibility is an essential part of becoming a man. A boy blames others for his mistakes, but a man accepts them, learns from them, and strives to do better. “Tony used to have an answer for everything, and it was never his fault,” recounted his housedad. With an abundance of energy, Tony struggled to focus at school and at home. Rather than facing his problems, he would avoid them. The sweet, adorable, caring boy would try to charm his way out of trouble to escape any consequences. “I used my smile and cuteness to get what I wanted,” confessed Tony.

Hidden underneath that smile was anger and frustration that he did not even realize. “I don’t remember much of my life before I was three and came to Show-Me with my (five) siblings, but it was bad,” stated Tony. “I didn’t trust people or want to let them in.”

Meeting with the counselors helped him to understand and talk about his past. Slowly, he became honest with himself about his struggles. Admitting it was not a sign of weakness, but of strength; now, he could get help. Sports and additional breaks helped him to get out some of his extra energy to be able to focus better. He put his energy towards sports and became a state champion in cross country.

Tony realized that the routine, discipline, and structure at
Show-Me helped him, not hurt him. He worked with his teachers to get the extra help he needed to turn his struggles into success in school. A boy may run from consequences, Tony determined to face them head-on and grow in the process.

Going Nowhere

No one succeeds alone. Learning to identify and use the resources God has placed around you is a crucial lesson a man must learn. Chayvin knew that he faced an uphill battle when he arrived at Show-Me. Skipping school and hanging out with the wrong crowd had left this 17-year-old with only a 5th-grade education. Graduating in two years seemed impossible. But he was determined. “I knew if I didn’t have my education, I was going to go nowhere,” stated Chayvin.

His Show-Me family explained to him that it wasn’t going to be easy, but they committed to helping him with every step. The next two years required twice the effort and endless sacrifices, but he refused to give up. Late nights, extra tutoring, and sheer determination brought Chayvin back on track to graduate in May. “Show-Me gave me a faith and will to push myself in every circumstance,” stated Chayvin.

Only One Savior

Becoming a man requires faith – faith in himself, in others, and most importantly, in God. He trusts that every trial has a purpose and that God has a plan for his life. For Drew, his senior year was supposed to be the culmination of years of hard work. His basketball teammates had named him captain. They looked to him for everything – on and off the court. He was their leading scorer, and after years of struggling, it finally looked like they might have a winning team. It was a lot of pressure, but Drew could handle it. He had big shoulders.

Early in the season, a broken leg shattered that dream. Suddenly, Drew could no longer do it on his own. He tried to carry their burdens as usual, but the physical and mental strain was exhausting him. “Their struggles and mine were killing me,” admits Drew. “Why would God allow this? I thought I was doing good with how hard I was working.”

In his helplessness, Drew’s perspective changed as he realized the “why” this setback was allowed to happen. His team needed the opportunity to find independence and learn to rely on each other. He needed to learn dependence on God and not rely on himself. It was ok to slow down and give himself time. Only Christ could be his teammates’ savior.

From Defiance to Determination

Becoming a man means learning to channel emotions into purpose. Tynnir arrived at Show-Me as an 11-year-old boy who didn’t talk much. He seemed frazzled and scattered in his new surroundings. “I didn’t want to be here,” remembered Tynnir. Angry and feeling like he had no control over his situation, he came across as stubborn and defiant. But in time, he found his footing. He made friends, learned the structure, and began to focus – not on the past or the future – but on what he could control: the present. His stubbornness shifted into determination.

Tynnir had always dreamed of becoming a soldier. Now, he was all in. He was willing to put in the work to make it happen. He poured himself into learning new talents like playing guitar, trained through sports to build his physical strength, joined the Criminal Justice program at the local college to earn extra certifications, and balanced a part-time job – all while staying on track to graduation. “Never once do we have to remind Tynnir of his responsibilities,” said SMCS Administrator Robin Blake. “He does it, and he does it well.” A man turns emotion into purpose—and purpose into progress.

Fuel to Success

The men of the Class of 2025 came from different struggles, but their stories share a common thread: resilience. They refused to be defined by their hardships and instead used them as fuel to succeed. As they take their next steps into the future, they carry not just diplomas but the hard-earned lessons of perseverance, responsibility, and the unwavering belief that if God is with them, they are capable of overcoming anything.

By JayKayCee|2025-04-17T16:13:50-05:00April 17th, 2025|Categories: Child's Story, Children, Testimony|

The Right to Give Children Our Best

Launching Legislative Efforts to Help More Children in Foster Care

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

The Bible is clear: as Christians, we are called to help broken families (widows) and hurting children (orphans) without letting our life-changing message of Christ be distorted by an ever-changing culture. For nearly sixty years, Christian “neighbors” like you banded together with us to answer this call. We believe every child deserves the best possible structure in which to prepare for a productive future: one with a home – based on traditional Biblical values – and a family with a mother and father. To truly rescue and restore each young life, Christ must be the center. It isn’t enough to prepare a child for a better future; each must have a chance to KNOW Jesus so they can have an excellent eternity. Anything less is not our best.

Healed People Heal People

We value the ability to share with these children – and with the world – the hope we have in Jesus. We know that a restored relationship with God through Christ makes a powerful impact on a person’s ability to find overall healing from the past and build a healthy future. Jesus provides the unique opportunity to make sense of our adverse childhood experiences, redeem those hurts, heal the wounds, and use that healing for our benefit, as well as the benefit of others. You have heard it said, “Hurt people hurt people.” Through Jesus, we can testify confidently that “healed people heal people.” This is the gospel truth we see every day in our ministries.

Drawing a Line

Show-Me determined decades ago to draw a line in order to hold to our core beliefs. To remain independent, we rely entirely on private support. We do not receive government or state money for childcare. For years, the purse string was the determining factor as to whether the government had a right to “help” determine how children should be raised or who should be hired. Childcare facilities like Show-Me could choose to be licensed and regulated by the State through the Department of Social Services (DSS) or operate under a religious exemption. This was the case in Missouri as well as numerous other states.

Today, Missouri is one of only three states where this option remains. Licensure concerns us deeply because of the slippery slope to losing our Christian values and ability to practice our faith. Ever-changing cultural and government priorities have created regulations that force faith-based agencies to choose between violating their sincerely held religious beliefs or closing their doors. For years, our political efforts have focused on stopping such regulations.

Rising Above the Gridlock

We are determined to blaze a new path to cut across the political gridlock in Missouri and do whatever we can to help struggling kids. Show-Me has an opportunity to make a lasting impact on child welfare in Missouri. We are working with legislators and like-minded ministries to create an alternative option to state-based licensing that would add additional layers of accountability and protection that every child deserves. At no additional cost to Missouri, it would provide DSS with sorely-needed resources in their fight to alleviate the foster care crisis. Without the constant threat of compromise, Christian organizations would be able to maintain the high-level standards that have proven to be most effective and most honoring to the God we serve.

A Vicious Downward Cycle

According to a 2024 DSS report, A Plan to Rebuild and Reform Children’s Division Phase II, Missouri had over 14,000 foster children in 2022, which was “double the national average per capita and among the highest number of foster children per capita.” With roughly 4,500 homes, Missouri has “a severe shortage of foster homes.” To meet the current need they require an additional 1,500 foster homes.

The lack of resources has created a vicious downward cycle of added strain on an already overloaded system. The stress and turnover rates increase dramatically for caseworkers trying to help. The same DSS report cited a 55% turnover rate for frontline workers. With such heavy caseloads, little time is left to provide necessary support for foster families who directly care for the children. Lack of support makes it harder and harder to find and keep foster parents. In the end, children pay the heaviest toll as the turmoil keeps them in the system longer, moving from home to home, caseworker to caseworker.

Stuck on the Sidelines

Many Christian Homes in Missouri like Show-Me want to help; we hear the horror stories of children in inappropriate placements, and we hear from caseworkers who believe our ministries could be the “perfect fit” for certain children – yet they are unable to place them here.

Before 2008, half or more of the children at Show-Me were placed through Missouri DSS. Many caseworkers and judges preferred placing children with us, especially sibling groups. We collaborated well with the caseworkers and the children, as well as having a “built-in” support system for the families providing care here. Although there is nothing in state statute that demands it, DSS discontinued placements with us in 2008. Since then, we only have private placements. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, since 2008, the number of Missouri children in foster care has increased over 60% (2009: 7,795 to 2022: 12,514). We cannot remain on the sidelines when we have what it takes to help.

MACCCA Can Help

Tragically, there have been some who have abused children under the guise of following God’s will. We pray for them to find the light. At the same time, we must redouble our efforts to protect children.

Under the banner of the Missouri Association of Christian Child Care Agencies (MACCCA), we look to unite ministries who hold the same high standards of care and accountability. We took our lead from the Florida Association of Christian Child Care Agencies (FACCCA). Decades ago in Florida, facing the threat of mandatory licensing, FACCCA successfully petitioned the state to allow a secondary option. Now, in Florida, childcare ministries can either be licensed by the state or accredited through FACCCA. MACCCA followed in FACCCA’s footsteps. We launched our efforts in 2022.

An Extra Layer of Protection for Children

Our legislation, filed by then Representative Adam Schnelting, put forth MACCCA as a qualified association working as a public-private partnership and a viable option for ministries in lieu of a license. Leadership from both MACCCA and the Missouri Children’s Division would comprise a citizen’s board set up under DSS to advise on standards, make recommendations, and share best practices. According to the bills filed, the qualified association must have been in place for a minimum of 20 years, must publish and require compliance with the association’s written standards and file copies of those standards with DSS, and must have a board of directors able to conduct oversight of member organizations.

Should the “religious exemption” be nullified, Christian ministries who care for children would not be eliminated. This year as a State Senator, Adam Schnelting is refiling his legislation in the Missouri State Senate and is partnering with Representative Jamie Gragg who has filed companion legislation in the State House. Both are Christians and ministers.

MACCCA came to the table to find a “win-win” solution. With the support of Senator Schnelting and Representative Gragg, we have renewed hope that good policy will override the destructive politics of animosity.

Pray these bills are passed by the State Assembly to benefit children in Missouri, protect our religious liberties, and glorify our God. Engaging in the legislative process comes with challenges, yet this is the avenue to best protect and serve all citizens in this state – especially the most vulnerable. This battle is the battle for the heart and soul of Missourians and for children who need our help.

By JayKayCee|2025-04-17T16:16:04-05:00April 17th, 2025|Categories: Children, Testimony|Tags: Rescue and Restore young lives|

A Truckload of HOPE

Former child returns after 50 years with 5,000 lbs. of supplies

As a truck driver, Ken Worcester has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles making deliveries. No journey would be more important than the one he took on July 9, 2024, as he rounded the corner and pulled onto the Show-Me campus in La Monte. He was returning home to the place where he first arrived as a scared and angry boy 50 years ago. The place that God used to divert him from the rocky road his life was on to a path of purpose.

To honor and celebrate Show-Me Christian Youth Home for its role in transforming his and his brother’s lives, Ken overwhelmed current Show-Me families by delivering a semi-trailer with over 5,000 lbs. of food and supplies. “I wanted to be a blessing because God has blessed me far more than I could ever have imagined 50 years ago,” stated Ken. “Every aspect of my life that is good traces back to Show-Me: marriage, family, a good work ethic, and most importantly, my salvation.”

Chained to a Painful Past

Ken did not always feel like his life was a blessing. In fact, for a long time, Ken believed life had cheated him. Why did his mom and oldest brother have to die? Why in 1974 did his dad leave him at the age of eight and his older brother, Pat, at Show-Me? Why was life so unfair?

The answers would not become clear until well into Ken’s adulthood. “For years, I paid the cost of unforgiveness – chaining myself to my painful past,” said Ken. “When I finally gave my past to God and nailed it to the cross, I realized that by placing us at Show-Me, my dad fulfilled my mother’s last wish to ‘take care of those boys’ in the best way he knew how.”

Music and Mission

Ken described the nearly eight years that he lived at Show-Me as life changing and lifesaving. He found his love of music, learning to play the piano and trombone. Hymns ministered to Ken. “I felt the emotions of the music and the lyrics explained truths of my heart that my own words failed to speak.” He stepped forward to be baptized and gave his life to Christ as the song “I have decided to follow Jesus” played.

At the age of 12, he felt called to ministry. He preached his first sermon in eighth grade at La Monte Christian Church. In high school, Ken would sometimes preach on promotions for Show-Me. His oratory skills won him a scholarship to Central Christian College of the Bible. For the next three decades, he pastored churches across Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois. He still actively shares his gift of playing the piano with each congregation he serves.

Pat would go on to serve 20 years in the Air Force. Today, Ken lives in Camp Point, IL, with his wife, Joni. The couple enjoys spending time with their five children and four grandchildren.

A Contagious Passion

“God was the one constant in my life, the one thing that was sure,” stated Ken. “Through the tears and tragedy, I knew I was never alone, He was there.”

For years, Ken thought about ways he could show his gratitude to God and give back to the children’s home that helped raise him. In 2023, after becoming a truck driver for Dot Foods, the largest food industry redistributor in North America, he approached his supervisor and told his story. Ken asked if he could buy food from the company and use their equipment to deliver it to Show-Me. His employer loved the idea.

Ken’s passion became contagious. Starting with a donation of his own, he approached his missions’ team at First Christian Church of Camp Point, IL. The church challenged its members to help fill the truck raising $7,100. Between his family and community, Ken raised $12,600. Dot Foods contributed an additional 800 lbs. of items to the cause.

Stocking the Pantries

“This is the biggest blessing of supplies I have ever seen in my 26 years at Show-Me,” stated Executive Director, Chad Puckett. “It will go a long way to refilling our pantries.”

Kids and parents from all eight Show-Me families helped unload and sort the 300 cases of groceries. From pasta to canned fruit, toilet paper to cooking oil, the tables were filled with items a growing Show-Me family needs. Each family consists of a husband-and-wife houseparent team and six to eight children. Once the minivans were loaded to take the goodies home to enjoy, the remaining food was stored in the campus food pantry for all the families to share.

Not the Gift He Wanted

Following the distribution, Ken sat down to have lunch and cake with his bigger Show-Me family. He shared his inspiring testimony of how, after the death of his mother and older brother, God took the broken pieces of his life, and brought him to Show-Me. He recounted how the gift he received 50 years ago when he came to Show-Me was not the gift he wanted. But, now 50 years later, he realizes that it is the greatest gift that he could have been given because it gave him a testimony and an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

*Beauty Out of Ashes***

“Young people, I want to encourage you – I have no idea what your backgrounds are or why you are here – but I can tell you, based on my life, what I know to be fact: God makes beauty out of ashes if you will let Him,” stated Ken. “God takes our brokenness and our tragedies – ones that sometime happen to us through no fault of our own. When we surrender them to Him, He in His time, in His way – and sometimes it takes 50 years – but He turns it all out for our good and for His glory. My life is a testimony of that.”

By JayKayCee|2024-12-26T10:05:32-06:00November 1st, 2024|Categories: Child's Story, Children, Testimony, Uncategorized|

Lives on a Mission

Traveling the world only to find their greatest mission at home

From India to Africa, Europe to South America, Laura and Jeff Eades have traveled around the world as missionaries. Though each would start on different paths, their love for children and passion to share the Good News united them. Together, they found their greatest mission was in their own backyard. A mission serving as Mom and Dad to the children that call Show-Me “home.”

A Calling and Bonga-Wonga Land

Laura felt certain of two things after she gave her life to Christ at age five: she was called to be a missionary and serve children. Hearing the stories from the missionaries that her family hosted planted seeds in the shy, quiet girl. She dreamed of one day opening an orphanage in Bonga-Wonga Land and being surrounded by children.

Laura was inspired by the sacrifices her parents made and the challenges they overcame in answering what she viewed as the “higher calling” – helping kids that were not their own. She knew firsthand the daily struggles their family went through with her adopted younger sister. Growing up, Laura helped her mom, who served as a Daycare Director in inner-city Charleston, West Virginia. She saw how children didn’t always have a safe place to call home. She saw how safety and stability – even for a few hours – could change their attitudes and give them hope.

From Shy to Courageous

Over the next two decades, Laura crisscrossed the globe as God refined her gifts and skills in the service of missions. She went to Israel on a Biblical archaeology trip. She lived with tribes in Papua New Guinea. Using her accounting degree, she served as a bookkeeper aboard a ship that traveled to 35 countries handing out Bibles and educational books to people in the least-reached areas. “God used me even if I didn’t always speak their language,” recounts Laura. “Even if all I could do was smile, I could show them the love of Christ in a way they could understand.” Moved by the images of life for street children, she learned Spanish and spent five years helping unwed mothers with their babies in Medellin, Columbia.

Caught Not Taught

Jeff’s passion for missions was more caught than taught. It wasn’t what he was told, but the life changes he saw. The transformation he witnessed when his father became a Christian inspired Jeff in his teens to want to become one, too. His father’s excitement for scripture became contagious.

“I wanted to find creative ways to get people excited about Christ,” stated Jeff. As a kid, he loved films. He would make his own movies at home with a Super 8 film camera. He went to Oral Roberts University and received a degree in Film and Video Production.

To pay his bills, Jeff worked for a local film company shooting weddings, events, and corporate training films. On the weekend, he did videos for his church showing various creative outreaches across St. Louis, like scraping frozen car windows or painting public areas that had graffiti. “We didn’t say much; our action was our testimony,” recounted Jeff. “People would show up at our church, wanting to know what would make people do what we were doing.”

Going back to work on Mondays became harder and harder. What was the point? Was there a way to use his creative film talents and do missions for a living? In 1996, he learned at a missions conference about Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), an international children’s ministry based in Warrenton, Missouri. What started as volunteer work would become his full-time dream job. For the next decade, Jeff traveled the world to create videos about CEF’s ministries.

Catching the Vision

In 2010, Laura and Jeff met at a CEF workshop on children’s ministry. A year later, they were married. Years of travel began to take its toll. Now in their 40s, the couple wanted to start their family and prayed for a children’s ministry in the United States where they both could serve.

Those prayers seemed to be answered when some friends from CEF approached the Eades about helping them start a youth home in Troy, Missouri. To help catch their vision, the friends suggested that the Eades visit Show-Me Christian Youth Home. “Show-Me is everything we want our youth home to be,” stated the friends.

The Eades didn’t just catch the vision, they fell in love. “From the school to the home, it was a well-oiled machine where every kid was doing what they were supposed to do,” remembers Jeff. “Each child knew what was expected and how to do it.” Jeff was particularly impressed with how the private Christian school moved at the child’s pace, not the class pace. “When a child is allowed to stay at a subject until they learn it, they don’t get lost as the class passes them by,” stated Jeff. By the end of their visit, the Eades asked if there were any openings at Show-Me.

A Never-ending Juggling Act

In the summer of 2014, the Eades arrived to serve as houseparents in La Monte, Missouri. Three years later, they moved to the growing Drysdale campus in Barnett, Missouri, where Jeff could help with the school. Over the next decade, 21 children would join the Eades family.

The Eades found there was no magic formula for parenting. It is a never-ending juggling act: cooking, cleaning, school, appointments, counseling, games, church, etc. As chaotic as schedules can be, the biggest challenge is building a relationship of trust with each child. Without it, the child may never be willing to accept the help they need or understand God’s plan for their life.

“Before they open up and let you see what is really going on inside, they have to know that you are going to be there,” stated Laura. “If the longest they have been in one place is three years, it is going to take over three years before they believe that you are not going to leave.”

Deciphering the Hidden Messages

The Eades learned that you can’t take things personally when working with children who suffer from trauma. The more you love them, the more they may push away. They may act out because chaos is the environment they are most used to.

A child’s actions may have nothing to do with you; they could be upset because a parent didn’t call, or they had a bad day at school. Things like wet beds or tantrums aren’t kids being “bad” or defiant; they are part of the defense systems for their former environment. It is important to celebrate the small victories like when the kids start singing the same praise and worship song on the way home from church or when they ask if they can help at the local soup kitchen.

A Child and His Craft

Art and music are a big part of the Eades home. Before they can watch TV or play a video game, the kids must practice a hobby or work on a craft. “At CEF, I learned that you never come between a child and his craft,” stated Jeff. “Their project becomes the gateway to building a relationship and opening bigger, deeper conversations.” A child is interested in learning the story about the picture they are coloring or memorizing the words of the Christian song they want to learn to play.

Finding your Mission Field

You don’t have to travel around the world to find your mission field. Like the Eades, all we must do is open our heart and be willing to serve where the Spirit is guiding us. It may be as close as home.

“It is a privilege to serve God’s children – from the little ones who cannot help themselves to the not-so-little ones who don’t understand why they feel the way they do or why their lives are not the way they would like,” stated the Eades. “It may seem sometimes that we go three steps forward and two steps back,” stated Jeff. “However, the rewards are so worth it. Relationships are strengthened and the gospel is clearly communicated to the kids’ hearts. God’s Word does not return void.”

By JayKayCee|2024-12-26T10:06:22-06:00July 15th, 2024|Categories: Children, Uncategorized|

Meet the Class of 2024

On the Road of Restoration

Our 2024 Graduates, Tati Jones and Ethan Smith, have a lot in common. Both spent more than half their life growing up as kids at Show-Me. Both enjoy reading, drawing, and serving as their school’s team captain in multiple sports. Both work around 20 hours a week at a part-time job, and are set to start college in the Fall. Each feels called to develop a professional skill set that they can not only turn into a career but which they will use to serve in the mission field. It is a calling that they feel God led them to and confirmed by the people and events they experienced through their time at Show-Me. “I would not be who I am today if it wasn’t for all the people in my life at Show-Me, who have helped me to strive to be the best I can,” stated Ethan.

Life on the Move

Tati doesn’t remember having much of a childhood. She was too busy being a protector for her five brothers and sisters. Growing up, the six constantly moved from home to home, living with people they hardly knew, and rarely staying in one place very long. The instability left her feeling unsafe and unwanted.

In 2010, a church helped move four-year-old Tati and her siblings to Show-Me. Things didn’t magically change overnight; each child struggled in different ways as they adjusted to their new life. Being the older middle sister, Tati constantly flipped between roles to try and be the thing each sibling needed. Sometimes it was a shoulder to cry on. Other times it was the tough-love voice saying grow up. As her new houseparents’ attention focused on dealing with the kids who were having problems, Tati faded to the background and began to feel invisible.

The Perfect Burden

On the outside, Tati tried to appear as the perfect girl: happy, outgoing, and talkative. “You feel an over-bearing pressure (as a Show-Me kid) to always be perfect,” Tati recounts. “In your mind, the devil whispers that you can’t show pain or struggles because if you aren’t perfect, then no one will want you.” Her young mind believed that this must be the reason she had to move so much. The only way to stop it was to not show weakness, and give anyone a reason to reject her. Any pain or hurt she felt had to be kept hidden.

No Longer Invisible

She found solace in art and sports. Her art allowed her to express herself when she could not put it into words. She no longer had to keep the feelings isolated inside her.

Sports were her safe place. The place she felt the most in control and wanted. She excelled at almost anything she tried. In sixth grade, she played on the varsity teams. By middle school, she was being selected for the All-State First-team in multiple sports. “When I was on the court, hearing people cheer, I no longer felt invisible,” stated Tati. “My team and everyone in the stands wanted me, and I knew I was making an impact.”

Cries are Answered

For a time, keeping a mask up and going through the motions worked. Focusing on sports and school, she hardly had time to think about how she really felt or all the things about her life that she did not understand. Then, one night as she lay alone on her bed looking at her mom’s mugshot, the only picture she had of her, Tati broke down. She cried out to God, “I don’t understand my situation. I don’t understand why I am here. All I know is I am just hurting.” In that moment, she felt God’s presence and a peace come over her like she had never felt before.

God became the One she went to when she could not find the answers. Singing praise and worship or playing a song on the piano allowed her to feel that connection with God and peace that passed understanding. She joined the praise and worship team to help lead other students. As her relationship grew, she felt a closeness to ask Him the questions she still did not understand.

God, what do you want me to do with my life?

Since she was little, Tati wanted to be a nurse. She likes helping people and has a passion for helping fix broken things, whether it was people or situations. In 2016, her passion was steered towards the medical field after reading the biography of Ida Scudder, a medical missionary to India. She was inspired by how Ida used her professional skills of nursing to save women and unwanted children who had been outcast by their community. Like Tati, Ida originally wanted to be “nothing like her parents.” Yet, Ida was willing to pray, “God, if You want me to, I will.” Ida created one of the first female medical schools and brought life-saving care to women in India, who, because of religious beliefs, could not be treated by male doctors. Tati saw how her faithfulness left an impact and legacy of hope that still touches millions.

“God, how do you want me to make an impact?” Tati prayed. God’s confirmation would come in a way Tati least expected.

In 2023, her younger sister, Taija, was severely injured in a car accident and flown to a hospital in Columbia, MO. The accident had done a lot of damage to her head and body. When Tati first arrived at the hospital, Taija began to freak out. At that moment, Tati realized that she was able to control her own feelings, stay calm, and focus on what Taija needed. Like when she was a child, Tati remained positive and told her that things were going to be ok. Tati realized that in these dark and unsure moments when a patient feels out of control, they will reflect the emotions of the nurse. If Tati believed Taija would be ok, then she would, too.

It was confirmation to Tati that she was supposed to go into nursing. All her life, she had been developing the skills and empathy that she would need to help others in their greatest time of need. This Fall, Tati will head to College of the Ozarks to start her degree in nursing. One day, she hopes to use that nursing knowledge to do missionary work in Africa.

Fly Like an Angel

Ethan moved to Show-Me at the age of seven, when his parents, Nathan and Belinda Smith, returned to start the new Leadership U program and serve as relief houseparents. As the middle child of the Smith family, and as a sibling to dozens more Show-Me kids, Ethan has an easygoing, calm to him. He doesn’t say much, but you can tell he is always observing, and always thinking. As a kid, Ethan wanted to be a construction worker. He spent hours building elaborate worlds, planes, and other creations with his Lego and erector sets. At the age of 13, he realized that rather than build a plane, he wanted to fly it.

A family friend and supporter of Show-Me heard about Ethan’s interest and offered to take him up for a plane ride. He was a private pilot, who volunteered with Angel Flight. The mission provided free medical transportation to people in need. They delivered blood or organs needed for transplants; they helped get patients from one hospital to another. To get the medical care they need, a person might travel thousands of miles with different pilots handling different parts of the journey.

“After I saw how grateful people were when he flew them where they needed to go, I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of,” recounted Ethan.

Ethan plans to get a degree in aviation from The University of Central Missouri. He then wants to work as a commercial pilot to pay off his student loans and build a career. His end goal is to one day become a missionary pilot. “I’ll go wherever God wants me,” stated Ethan.

The Road of Restoration

While both graduates are grateful for all the people who have helped them along their journey, they know that their foundation must be built on something stronger. “(As kids at Show-Me) we have this joke, that when you cross that stage and receive your diploma that you are going to hear ‘oh, you are now restored, now complete,’” stated Tati. “But it is always going to be an ongoing work. People cannot restore people, only God can. Putting your faith in anything else will eventually fail. There is only one place you can put your trust and not have it broken.”

By JayKayCee|2024-04-25T11:36:51-05:00April 25th, 2024|Categories: Child's Story, Children, Testimony, Uncategorized|

Faith Like a Child

The “Friends of Show-Me” Annual Fish Fry and Multi-Miracle

You can’t miss it. The large blue building is the central landmark and most recognized feature of Show-Me. The Multipurpose building, or “Multi,” is the hub of life at the main campus. Daily, within its walls: K-12 school is taught, office staff conduct business, counselors listen to kids’ concern, visitors cheer on our athletes, and God is praised. Each year, nearly 500 supporters will unite during our Annual Open House, former kids and their families will return “home” to share a meal at the holidays, and tears will be shed as a once struggling young person crosses the stage to receive their high school diploma.

Even more impressive than all the ways the Multi is used, is the story of how it came to be. It is the Show-Me version of the miracle of the fish and loaves. The testimony of how a childlike faith passed from one group to another sparks an overflowing of blessings that continue to multiply from generation to generation.

Rain, Rain, Go Away…

“What do you do when the weather gets bad,” Kirk Bruce asked while touring the La Monte campus in 1990. “Pray! There is not much else we can do,” housemom and current Director, Karen Culler, said with a smile. Kirk continued, “what is something Show-Me could really use, but that you feel is not such a pressing need that you should ask for help?” Karen responded that a dream would be to have an area where the kids could play on a rainy day. A space large enough where all the families could gather as one big Show-Me family at the holidays or for special events.

Driving home, Kirk and his wife, Bonnie, talked about the 40’ x 60’ metal building that he had recently built on his property for a cost of $14,000. Why couldn’t they build something like that for the kids at Show-Me? A simple shelter would give them a safe place to go when the weather turned bad. He had the skills to build a shelter like that; all he needed now was the money to do it.

A Challenge to Christians in Action

The Bruce’s decided to approach the 25 members in their Christians in Action (CIA) Sunday school class about the need. He challenged them to raise $15,000 toward the project. “If we are going to do it, let’s do it right!” Bill and Donna Crockett exclaimed. The group decided to hold an all-you-can-eat fish fry fundraising event. These “Friends of Show-Me,” as they called themselves, resolved to “give it a try, and with God’s help, see what happens.” As they brainstormed ideas, each member took stock of what talents, gifts, and connections they could bring to the project.

Smiling Faces and Fish Guts

Donna, a mother and former city council woman, utilized her organization and delegation gifts to lead the project. She turned the group’s idea into an actionable plan. “Mom never met a stranger,” laughed Tim Crocket, Donna’s son. “She was never afraid to ask for help. She could see the talents of others and know exactly how she could use them to fill a need.” Friends reached out to friends. Soon, everyone wanted to join the cause from the church to the wider community in Columbia, MO.

Local businesses donated oil, cups, and other supplies. Donna found a fisherman in Louisiana, who caught 1,800 lbs. of fish. The CIA class met to clean and prepare the fish. Bob Fletcher, a member of the class, stored the fish in his industrial freezer near the venue. The Church family prepared desserts and side dishes. Greg Johnson, the pianist at Westside, provided the entertainment. On the day of the first event, Donna had lines of men waiting with their fryers. “Everyone had a great time,” recounts Kirk. “It didn’t matter if you were gutting fish or washing plates.”

All-You-Can Eat Fish to Satisfy the Multitudes

The event, held at the Kemper Arena outside of Columbia, MO, exceeded even their wildest expectations. By the end of the night, they had fed 1,200 people raising over $20,000. “After the success of the first event, everyone wanted to do more,” Kirk remembered.

Daring to Dream

They dared to dream bigger. The group vowed to hold more events each Spring. What started as a building project for a simple covered shelter transformed into an indoor recreation “hall of many uses.” The new plans included an indoor gym, kitchen, stage, tutoring and preschool facilities, as well as much needed storage. Looking to centralize operations under one roof, they added administrative offices, a counseling area, a print shop, and a library. Bill Crockett, an architectural engineer, offered his expertise to ensure the construction process would be a success.

“The more people we get, the more things we can do,” Donna encouraged. Kids held “change for children” coin drives. Kirk donated all the tips from his barber shop. Other members of the CIA class made large donations. A young man from their church even wrote a $6,000 check. He said he felt compelled to give the money that he saved since his company was paying for all his expenses while he worked overseas in Africa.

The “Friends of Show-Me” Annual Fish Fry continued for the next four years, each year seemingly larger than the last. From 1990 to 1994, the “Friends of Show-Me” raised a total of over $125,000.

In 1994, construction began at Show-Me. Volunteers helped with the finishing work on the interior part of the building. On July 8, 1995, the new Multipurpose building was dedicated at the Show-Me Open House event.

Why Can’t We!?!

The biggest impact could not be measured by a dollar sign. More significant than the money raised was how the project opened the hearts and eyes of all those who were involved. Hundreds of people, who had never heard of Show-Me, sat down to a great meal, and left with a new awareness of a place where struggling families could get help. Scores of volunteers, who first got involved to help do a “good” thing, caught the passion, and become faithful supporters.

“Mom’s (Donna) goal was to get people to think about the kids in our community who needed a safe place like Show-Me,” stated Tim. “As she would say, family does not end when a person turns 18 years old. Everyone needs a place where they can come ‘home.’ If these kids do not have a place, then why can’t we make a place!?!”

The Real Miracle

The Show-Me Fish Fry miracle was never about fish; it is about what can happen when we have faith like a child to respond to a need we see in our community. A need that even some of the Lord’s disciples might think is too big to attempt. God’s miracles rarely involve the sky opening and manna from heaven descending. More often, they occur when ordinary people accept His invitation to be part of the solution.

God will show us the miraculous when we look at what we been given, and have the courage to offer Him even those little gifts. Then, He will multiply it to be more than enough as we pass the basket to invite others to share in the blessing.

“You realize that the blessing is pouring yourself out,” stated Elton Fay, a member of the CIA class and Show-Me board member. “The truest blessing comes when you do something for someone that can never pay you back.”

By JayKayCee|2024-02-14T13:03:42-06:00February 14th, 2024|Categories: Celebration, Children, Uncategorized|

21st Annual Culler Memorial Basketball Tournament

We are so pleased to be able to host this annual tournament!

This year’s tournament will be held on Saturday, March 22nd.

Get your teams together and head our way for some friendly competition.

The registration fee is $150.00 per team.

Many of you have participated in this tournament year after year.

It has become a highlight of our Spring here at Show-Me. Don’t wait to register your team!

The double elimination bracket allows for 8 teams and slots fill up fast. We can’t wait!!!

If you have any questions, please email Judi at judi.crawford@showmekids.org.

By Show-Me Update|2024-12-26T11:03:09-06:00January 3rd, 2024|Categories: Events, Sports, Uncategorized|

Seeing Mom Succeed Instead of Struggle

New Family Care Ministry launches to help single mothers

Problems can be blessings in disguise. Rather than maintaining the status quo, challenges redirect us back to the Father for His guidance. They force us to temporarily slow down and reevaluate, leading to the discovery of new, more effective, lasting solutions. This has been the catalyst for some of Show-Me’s greatest transformations over the last 25 years: the creation of the Show-Me Christian School, the expansion of counseling services, the development of the Path to Purpose program, and the consolidation of distant, individual satellite homes to build campus communities with on-site support systems.

We are excited to announce the next page in our testimony with the launch of our new Family Care Ministry – a program to help single moms and their children find the tools and resources they need to build a healthy, stable, self-sufficient, and successful future!

Praising God for Problems!?!

Over the past 15 years, Show-Me has wrestled with how to be the best stewards of our satellite units scattered on the edges of Missouri. While the Hubble Home in Galt, MO, was built from the ground up for the ministry, most of the satellites were donated, single-family homes that were never designed to accommodate a larger Show-Me family. Located, in some cases, up to four hours away from the main campus presented numerous challenges: increased costs, lack of readily available support of the campus communities, and limitations on what type of children could be placed there.

One solution was to sell some of our property, and use the funds to build new homes at our larger locations. This led to the establishment of the Drysdale Campus with three homes, and the expansion of the main campus to seven homes. While the Judd Home in Knob Noster, MO could easily connect with a campus, the New Life Home in Mayview, MO, and the Hubble Home in Galt, MO, could not. Unable to secure houseparents, these homes sit largely unused.

Without Options

Show-Me has seen a reduction in the number of child placements, while pleas for help reached a 10-year record high last year. In many of these requests, the children need more help than Show-Me can provide. Yet, we regularly get calls from single moms in desperate situations. Facing unexpected crises, they are looking for a way to protect their children from the ramifications. Whatever the case, they realize for their child to have a better life, they need more resources than they alone can provide. “To be separated from my children was one of the hardest decisions I ever made,” stated Vickie Moyer, a single mom who placed her two teenage children with Show-Me. “I just wanted the best for them.”

Until now, Show-Me only had one option to help them: Mom places the children with us while she works to get back on her feet so the family can reunite. Though successful in many such cases, unfortunately, some moms lose their motivation and often end up in worse circumstances – and the children have had additional trauma due to the separation. For others, separation from their child is too much to bear and they either look elsewhere for help, or continue to struggle on their own. In each case, the generational traumatic cycle continues, and the child pays the cost.

The Family Care Ministry

A single mom shouldn’t have to separate herself from her children to “get her life back together,” often due to circumstances beyond her control. Through our new Family Care ministry, she can keep her family intact while she rebuilds her life together with her kids. These moms will receive the support they need to “hit pause,” work through the issues that led them to need our services, and focus on the future success, happiness, and stability of their family.

The goal-oriented program is designed to provide hard-working single mothers with the time, space, and resources they need to build a safe and stable foundation to become a healthy and independent family with Christ as their cornerstone. The Hubble Home and New Life Home are being modified to provide independent living spaces for multiple families.

A Team for Mom

The program does not seek to replace Mom; she will still be responsible for raising her own children. A Family Life Coach will live at the home. Working around their job or school schedule, the coordinator will meet regularly with each mom to guide her along her individual path to independence and her pursuit of long-term, quality-of-life improvements. Moms will receive coaching in areas of parenting, vocational assistance, financial management, discipleship, mental health, and coordinating resources her family needs.

Most living expenses will be covered including housing, utilities, and basic needs for the family so that moms can focus on the steps they need to better their lives. The moms will also have access to donated food, clothing, furniture, and household items at the main campus. Our goal is that Mom and her children leave Family Care 100% stable, self-sufficient, and on a path to a healthy future, with a nice “nest egg” to launch back into the real world.

Success Rather than Struggle

“Over my years, I have seen so many struggling moms,” stated Bobbie Novak, the Family Care Program Manager. “It isn’t lack of desire, but lack of guidance.” Joining the Show-Me family in 2006 as a housemom, Bobbie is uniquely qualified to lead the program as an accredited Family Support Provider. “I’ve had a passion for especially the mothers of the children because I had their babies,” stated Bobbie. “You always want to have the parents as part of their life and part of their success story whenever possible.”

By JayKayCee|2023-12-08T14:05:37-06:00November 7th, 2023|Categories: Children|Tags: Family Care Ministry, Show-Me programs|

Leading One Relationship at a Time

Celebrating the Smith Family’s Ministry

Nathan and Belinda Smith’s fingerprints can be found in nearly every corner of Show-Me Christian Youth Home. In ten years, they have served in the roles of relief houseparents, Leadership U Coordinator, coach, teacher, 4-H sponsor, missions team leader, photographer, and nurse just to name a few. Each of these outlets gave them a chance to build relationships with the kids in different and powerful ways to teach life lessons and build bonds that last a lifetime.

“Building a relationship is critical. Until you have that, kids are not going to listen to anything you have to say,” said Nathan. “All they will hear is meaningless words.”

Home Away from Home

Being relief houseparents gave the Smiths the opportunity to build deeper relationships with almost every child at Show-Me. Children stayed at the Smith’s home whenever their houseparents were off-duty. They also stepped in to provide extended care for kids, as well as crisis intervention.

Anytime they had kids, the Smiths wanted them to feel like they were part of the family. They made their house a relaxing, non-stressful place where each child felt loved and safe enough to open up and be themselves. “I loved being able to share life with them – through the ups and downs – and walk with the kids through those times in their lives to whatever extent they would allow or wanted us to,” stated Belinda.

“I always looked forward to going over there because they always made me feel loved and accepted when I visited,” said Josie Koebel, a 2020 graduate of Show-Me. “I felt like I could talk and be myself around them.”

Actions Speak Loudest

Many times, the lessons that had the deepest impact were the ones without words. The everyday moments of life provided time to deepen connections: working out together, feeding the animals, or riding in the truck on an errand. “It was not what Nathan said, it was what he instilled in me,” stated Steven Durst, a 2015 graduate. “He always led by example from the disciplined, responsible way he ran his program to how he was always willing to help. He showed me how I needed to be purposeful with my life.”

Sean Hensley, a 2008 graduate, had only been at Show-Me for a few months. A turning point for him was what the Smiths did not do. He flipped over a railroad tie which crashed into a wooden fence and created a large hole to the pasture. When asked, Sean denied being involved, until a few hours later his conscience would let him keep silent no longer.

As Sean explains it: “I felt so bad that I had lied to Nathan and Belinda because they had been so forthright about wanting us kids to be able to come to them about anything. When I told him, he didn’t yell at me or get irritated. He said ‘we will get this fixed and obviously you will be a part of it.’ After that, I felt like I could tell these people anything because they really did care and would try to do what was best for me. The Smiths laid the groundwork for me to finally be able to trust adults.”

Victory Beyond the Scoreboard

The Smiths served key roles in sports and extracurricular activities, including the 4-H program. Nathan coaches basketball, while Belinda coaches volleyball and archery. Belinda created and ran the 4-H program at Show-Me for many years. These venues provided great outlets for kids to discover their talents and develop self-confidence.

Confidence comes from accomplishment. Accomplishment comes from perseverance. Perseverance comes from a desire for something better. Without desire, you will not try. This is true in life as much as it is in sports or the classroom.

Every child has a different personality, strengths, and weaknesses. The Smiths feel God called them to help each child grow in the unique way they needed. “Lord, help me to see through Your eyes to find and develop the things that You love about this child.” Nathan prayed.

While they both taught the fundamentals of the sport, the final score was never the main objective. Attitude, teamwork, and character mattered more. Not everyone could score, but all could encourage. “Coach (Belinda) taught us that we have to be intentional in our encouragement,” stated 2021 graduate, Sadie Puckett, a former volleyball player. “This experience has the potential to shape and mold us in either a positive or negative way. We determine if we are going to waste it or use it to turn us into something beautiful. We are going to work hard either way.”

Learning to Lead Like Jesus

The iconic ministry that led them to dedicate their lives to the mission of Show-Me: Leadership U. Working with horses and dogs to overcome challenges, students develop character and purpose as they embrace the principles of learning to lead like Jesus. “Working with the animals opens the kids’ hearts to receive instruction,” said Nathan. “When they see how your advice makes the horse do things they never thought possible, they begin to trust and are willing to listen to what you have to say about horses, life, and even God.”

“Learning to be a leader can give them the confidence and skills they need to break the generational cycle many are caught up in,” stated Belinda. “They realize that they have the power inside them to take a different path than the one they came from.”

The Essential Element: Relationships

How does a person measure their greatest impact? Nathan and Belinda Smith could point to numerous accomplishments: developing and running the Leadership U program, uniting a previously win-less volleyball team to become state champions, or helping to raise dozens upon dozens of children that have grown up under their influence. While the Smith family has made a difference in many areas over the last ten years at Show-Me, their biggest impact will always be in the relationships they built with the children that call Show-Me “home.”

“Nathan and Belinda have been a role model for my marriage,” stated Josie. “They are always going to be a part of my family and life. I don’t think I would be the person I am today without their guidance and love.”

By JayKayCee|2023-07-03T15:48:43-05:00July 3rd, 2023|Categories: Children, Houseparent|

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