What started as two strangers bonding over their love for Jesus, foster care, and teens from hard places has turned into a lifetime friendship that looks more like family. Combined they have over 17 years of foster care and adoption experience and 20 kiddos ranging from young adults to infants!

Ted serves on the executive team of the PenFL Foster Care Network, partnering with volunteer ambassadors to help churches become foster-friendly by raising awareness of the crises, recruiting foster families, and strengthening the families that they recruit.  Every month, Chaplain Ted provides National Support and Training for foster and adoption families across the United States to increase stability and well-being for children living in over 300 cities. Ted is married to Angie, and they are seasoned pastors, having dedicated 25 years to pastoral ministry, including a successful 15-year tenure as lead pastors at First Assembly of God in Palatka, Florida. In March 2019, their appointment to US Missions as Chaplains to the Foster and Adoption Community marked the beginning of a new chapter in their extensive ministry.

Ted and Angie have committed to ensuring every child has access to a safe, secure family that cares for them. They view their work as a calling fueled by their faith and compassion for children who need healthy families.

Sundy Goodnight is an active, single foster parent and mommy to her adopted daughters, Emmerson, Eisley, Emmaya, and Eilyn from the foster care system.  Despite often taking multiple foster placements, she finds time to blog and serve as Senior Director of Partnership development at One More Child in Jacksonville, FL, where she enjoys traveling and speaking about children in need.  She previously served in leadership roles with Mercy Ministries and Stop Child Trafficking Now,and has served short-term missions in the Philippines, South Africa, Ukraine, Colombia, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, as well as volunteered for numerous humanitarian organizations.

Loryn Smith, M.S.W., is the Owner/CEO of Finally Home, a private social services agency in Hillsborough County. This role complements Loryn’s thirty-five-plus years of experience in the child welfare system, working professionally and personally to impact the lives of children in our area.  Loryn has worked as a marriage and family counselor, has been a director for both public and private foster care/adoption agencies, and directed the Training Program for an adoption support center.  Loryn has been certified through Rutgers University and NACAC as an Adoption Competent Trainer and trained as a Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner.  Loryn brings to her position a personal passion as she and her husband fostered for thirty years, twenty-one of those in the Suncoast Region.  Loryn is the mother of twenty children, twelve of whom were adopted through the foster care system, one who was adopted privately, and two of whom were not formally adopted, but are considered permanent members of the family.  Loryn is a frequent trainer in her community, bringing practical application of parenting skills for children impacted by trauma.  She also provides Family Coaching Services, working directly with families to assist them in developing effective parenting strategies for challenging children; expert witness testimony regarding the impact of early trauma and the importance of attachments; and completes Bonding and Assessment Studies.

Rebecca Harvin is the founder and Executive Director of Haven Retreats. She and her husband, Brad, began fostering in May 2017. In July 2022, she and her husband adopted a sibling set of four. Haven Retreats was born from a season of caregiver burnout and the assumption that if she needs a space for rest, therapy, and Jesus, other people probably do, too.

As an Enneagram 7, Rebecca loves adventure, traveling, spontaneity, and engaging the world around her with humor and a positive outlook.

Dr. Doug Kowieski serves as the Director of The Cove Ministry at Fruit Cove Baptist Church. The Cove provides emotional and spiritual care through counseling and support groups. Dr. Kowieski earned his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling and Master of Arts in Human Services from Liberty University.  

Doug has been married to his beautiful wife, Melissa, for 30 years. They have four children by birth and adoption, ranging from 24 to 16 years old. They also have four dogs and three cats. Doug and Melissa have developed a passion and heart for ministering to foster and adoptive families and sharing their experiences to help them in their journey.

Melissa is the Program Manager of Families Count with Lifeline Children’s Services.  Prior to joining Lifeline Children’s Services, she spent 20 years as an educator and administrator in the public school system.  Melissa earned her Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University and her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Valdosta State University. Melissa is married to her husband Doug of 30 years and they have 4 children (3 biological adult children and 1 adopted at age 15).  Melissa and Doug are certified Parent Coaches with a passion to equip parents as they love, disciple, and guide them through life. Melissa also has a passion for equipping others to step into sharing the love of Christ with vulnerable families.

Karen Roy is the Women’s Ministry Director and Ministry Leader of Fostering Hope of Fruit Cove Baptist Church in St. Johns, Florida. She and her husband, Luke, and their three children enjoy watching baseball, spending time at the beach, and family game nights. Karen is a foster and adoptive mom that understands how critical support is to foster and adoptive families and is passionate about the church uniting to serve them. Fruit Cove Baptist has embraced the “Everyone Can Do Something” culture and has discovered unique ways to help meet the needs of foster and adoptive families through the gifts of volunteers and church resources already in place. Fostering Hope works with churches in their local community to help launch foster care and adoption ministries and partners with local child welfare agencies and like-minded organizations to serve vulnerable children and families.

Pastor Jay, along with his wife Sandra and their four children, Hope, Grace, Faith, and Luke, have been serving at Redland for over 20 years. They have watched God grow the ministries of Redland. Through mostly volunteers, Redland has become a leader in local and foreign missions.

Pastor Jay has a heart to lead the lost to Christ, to meet the needs of the less fortunate, and to mentor children in the ways of the Lord. He believes that we can make a difference in our community and world one family at a time.

Brandie Neal, M.Ed., is the founder and CEO of Crayons To Credits Educational Consulting, LLC. With over 16 years of experience in the field of education, including more than a decade as a classroom teacher and a years in adminstration, Brandie brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her work. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Monmouth University and a master’s in special education from Concordia University.

As a neurodivergent educator and advocate, Brandie is deeply committed to building inclusive and accessible learning environments for all students. She is a recognized expert in the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 Plans, guiding families through the often-complex special education process with compassion and clarity. Her hands-on experience working with school teams, advocating for students’ rights, and training educators makes her a trusted voice in special education. Through Crayons To Credits, Brandie leads initiatives in tutoring, homeschooling support, child advocacy, and professional development, equipping educators and empowering families to break barriers and build brighter futures for every learner.

Nicole Kalil is a passionate advocate for foster and adoptive families, ensuring no one walks this journey alone. Originally from Miami, she and her husband Joe raised their four children in Jacksonville, including one adopted child. She leads support groups, mentors families, and advocates for Christ-centered connection. Nicole is currently pursuing a Certificate in Youth Mental Health Coaching and Trauma-Informed Care & Coaching to better support families.