Kirk has been married to his wonderful wife Darrah for 13 years and they have one daughter in middle school. Darrah also volunteers as a TLC at The Sparrow’s Nest. Kirk is the Vice President of Corporate Tax at CSI Leasing and is a member of the St. Charles Jaycees. They attend McKnight Crossings Church of Christ in Rock Hill.
I serve because I believe in the mission of The Sparrow’s Nest to house and educate young women that would otherwise fall through the cracks of the system. Matthew 25 implores us to protect the vulnerable and the Nest is there to provide services to some of the most vulnerable in our society: pregnant young women that do not necessarily have many other good choices.
Mark has been married for 10 years to his amazing wife, Melissa. Mark has two daughters – Katie and Maggie – and one beautiful grandson – Blake. Mark attends Faith Chapel Church in O’Fallon and is a member of the Advisory Board of Directors.
I believe that if we “believe” in something, we have to stand behind that belief with our actions. The Sparrow’s Nest does exactly that and aligns with my Pro-Life beliefs – we have to provide the resources necessary to help these young women!
Jessica has been married nearly twenty years and has three children by birth. She has been mom to fourteen more through foster care. Jessica and her family are active members of the Crossings Church in Wentzville. She is a certified nurse-midwife and serves families through the Birth and Wellness Center in O’Fallon.
I believe people at all stages of development and in all life circumstances deserve respect, compassion, and the opportunity to live life to their greatest potential. At some point, most of us will need help from a loving friend or mentor to accomplish that. The Nest provides the love and sanctuary that young women and their babies need at a critical time in their lives, so they won’t merely survive a hard time, but will blossom into all that God has planned for them.
Cindy lives in St. Charles with her wonderful husband Steve. They have 5 children – Ashley, Eric, Alex, Emily and Janey. Cindy is a CPA and a certified project manager at Edward Jones. Cindy volunteers as a TLC at The Sparrow’s Nest and also enjoys her ministry in El Salvador as a missionary two weeks a year. The Lawsons are active members of St. Joseph Parish in Cottleville.
God calls us each to service in many different ways. When I see a destitute person in the streets of El Salvador or a young mother in need of hope and love….my heart goes out. The Sparrow’s Nest touches a spot deep in my heart in their ministry to help those who are most vulnerable in our world….the unborn child and young mother. I am honored and blessed to serve. “Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.” Luke 18: 16-17
Tony has been married for 15 years to his amazing wife, Addie. Tony has three sons and one daughter-Nolan, Eli, Caleb, and Chloe, Tony is the Executive Director at the Midwest Cyber Center of Excellence.
I believe The Sparrow’s Nest affords all teen moms the opportunity to succeed at life! Through guidance, counseling, and friendship both mother and child are given an opportunity to excel in everything they do.
Heather lives in Wentzville with her husband Rob and their blended family of 5 from ages 20 to 9 months. Heather has over 15-years experience in the public relations field, holding a BA in Communications/Public Relations from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and a Masters in writing from Lindenwood University. Heather also has over 10-years of modeling / acting experience working on commercials, with catalogs and etc., and most recently was crowned Mrs. Wentzville of the Mrs. America Pageant. Heather is a member of Morningstar Church and is active volunteering there as well in the community.
As a Christian woman, it’s difficult to hear about a teen mom giving up her baby simply because she doesn’t have resources. It’s difficult hearing that she has been given an ultimatum to give up the baby and keep her home and family, or have the baby and become homeless and be abandoned by your family. I look at our oldest daughter and can’t imagine her being left to those choices. So I want to help The Sparrow’s Nest expand those resources for young mommas. To spread the word that teen moms DO have a better choice.
Carla has been married to John for 10 years. Carla is the Community Liaison with Mercy Hospital for the Tri County Region, she has also served in Customer Engagement and Marketing roles within Southwest Airlines and as a Legal Correspondent at American Family Insurance. She enjoys traveling, home rehab projects, and entertaining. She attends First Baptist Church of Harvester in St. Peters.
I believe in the heart and mission of The Sparrow’s Nest and that it is our responsibility to lead and encourage these young girls towards the hope of a brighter future. My vision for The Sparrow’s Nest is to create an environment where each girl will be nurtured and learn to nurture her baby, where she will feel empowered to achieve, where she will feel the love of The Sparrow’s Nest family and will embrace the love of the Lord and come to know him as her Father and personal savior.
Kevin has been married since 1985 to the beautiful, and remarkably patient, Desire’e. They have 6 children and 3 beautiful grandchildren. Kevin is a COO/CFO for Cambridge Engineering in Chesterfield. He enjoys reading, wood working and hunting, and attends the Fairground Roads Church of Christ in Troy, MO.
I serve because my historical frustration with the Life movement is that it is loud, but often not personally committed. This was the first time, in my heart, that I felt like I could “put my money where my mouth is.” It is a holistic approach to affirming life, which includes physical, emotional, financial and spiritual support. I love that we are removing these young women from the cycle of dependence and poverty, and helping them find true dependence in Christ.