In the fall of 2011 God stirred in our hearts a vision to provide a
place where adoptive and foster parents could receive encouragement and
refreshing for the exciting and demanding process of parenting. Some
families involved in this ministry have ten or more years experience as
adoptive families with all the joys and challenges accompanying this
call. As a church with quite a few adopted children, we felt that as we
have freely received the grace and power of our God in the parenting
process, so we could freely give that same faith-filled experience to
other parents.
Hope at Home is dedicated to help adoptive and foster parents encounter the Father’s heart for their families, partnering with God to transform orphans into sons and daughters. We firmly believe in the redeeming and healing power of God for our families and children. We are convinced that His will is for our children to become whole, healed and healthy.
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. – Isaiah 58:11-12
We seek to provide regular blog posts on topics such as
We would love for you to join us at one of our Hope at Home events! Every fall we host a Hope at Home Conference for adoptive and foster parents, waiting parents, and those who come alongside adoptive and foster families. These conferences provide a time of refreshing as we encounter the Father’s heart towards adoptive families. It is going beyond a traditional conference to equip and restore parents
as they face the exciting and often challenging task of transforming orphans into sons and daughters. You will:
It has also been a joy for us to host Hope at Home, Heart to Heart. These more intimate home meetings are scheduled throughout the year and provide a place where parents, waiting parents, and those who come alongside, can connect, share and be encouraged in the Lord. There is nothing like praying with people who will believe with you for God to move in your child, in your family, and in you!
Stay connected with all of these events and find out the details as we announce them by liking our Facebook Page. You will receive daily encouragement, scriptures, resources, and Hope at Home news there.
As a ministry of Northlands Church, Hope at Home operates under the authority and covering of the Northlands’ elders. The Hope at Home leadership team consists of people who are passionate about helping adoptive and foster parents live in the fullness of God’s joy, peace and power as they successfully parent their children. Beth Templeton and Susan Hillis are the primary leaders of the ministry. Meet our team:
Beth Templeton
Beth has been married to her husband, Stephen, for 25 years. They have seven children, ages 16 to 23. Several years after giving birth to three girls, God called their family into the adventure and blessing of adoption. In 2000, they brought home a brother and sister, ages 5 and 10, from Russia. Then they returned to the same orphanage 18 months later and brought home two more brothers, ages 7 and 10. Currently, two of their children are in high school, four are in college, and one has graduated. Beth is a leader at Northlands Church and leads a ministry to mothers. She has a passion for communicating the joy, peace and victory available to us as parents.
Susan Hillis, PhD, MS
Dr. Hillis has been a believer for 38 years, married to a godly servant for 35, a mother for 26, a US government federal official for 20, and a university professor for 10 years. She is the mother of 11 children, 8 of whom were adopted from Russia after the tragic death of her first-born son on the day before his tenth birthday. It is her deep joy and privilege to have received untold personal blessings from the living God. She has worked and ministered in countries in South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. She participates widely as an invited speaker at scientific and Christian conferences. She has published more than 80 articles in scientific medical journals and is considered one of the leading infectious diseases experts on the HIV risk among vulnerable youth around the world. Dr. Hillis is a recent recipient of the Outstanding Service Medal as a Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service.
During her married life she has worn many hats, including stay-at-home mom, graduate student, missionary, government official, nurse, scientist, and university professor. She has experienced infertility, caring for a son with a fatal heart condition, loss of her son through a fatal biking accident, and 8 international adoptions of older children from Russian orphanages. She, her husband, and their 10 children recently lost their home in the 2009 Atlanta floods, which were declared a presidential disaster.
Her experience suggests that God’s goodness is bigger than all the storms of life.
Stephen Templeton
Stephen is married to Beth and is the father of seven children. He is on the leadership team at Northlands Church where he is an elder. He has a heart for worship and experiencing the presence of God. He serves as one of the worship leaders of the church. He is also a physician and practices dermatopathology in Atlanta.
Brian Hillis
Brian, a father of 11 kids, 8 adopted from Russia at older ages, is by training both an educator and a CPA. During the first 15 years of marriage, he worked outside the home as a missionary in Latin America, an educator, and a CPA. During the next 20 years, his work was primarily in the home, serving God by loving his wife and all those children.
Greg Haswell
Greg has been in ministry alongside his wife Michelle for 25 years. Twelve years ago God called them from South Africa to start a church in Atlanta. He is a Bible teacher and church planter who builds into churches and church leaderships around the world. Greg and Michelle currently live in Atlanta, GA where Greg is the pastor of Northlands Church.
Michelle Haswell
Michelle has spent a number of years in education as an elementary school teacher and as head of faculty. She enjoys ministry to women, prophetic ministry and seeing lives restored to wholeness. Michelle travels with her husband Greg, ministering with him in churches around the world. They have one married daughter, Nicole.
Jenni Means
Jenni has been leading in children’s ministry for 25 years and is currently on staff at Northlands Church. With a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and many years of teaching in both public and private Christian schools, Jenni is highly qualified to speak to parents. She has come alongside many adopted children and their families as through her ministry. Jenni has partnered with No More Crumbs Ministries in training children, youth and adults in Georgia, Holland, Ukraine, UK and Malaysia. She has been married to Scott for 29 years; they have three daughters.
Scott Means
Scott runs a popular marriage blog called Journey to Surrender. He is passionate about renewing and strengthening marriages in the church through the exploration of biblical marriage principles. He sums up his blog with the phrase: “Marriage was God’s idea, so let’s do it His way!” Scott is also one of the worship leaders at Northlands Church in Atlanta. He and his wife, Jenni, have been married for 29 years and have three wonderful daughters. Their ministry to adoptive families has touched many lives for eternity. They are ones God has called to come alongside, and they have done that well, and have learned much about the needs that arise.
Emma Templeton
Emma is the oldest of seven siblings, four of whom were adopted from Russia. Over the years Emma travelled four times to Russia. A Davidson College graduate of 2011 with a major in political science and a minor in music, Emma now lives in Atlanta and works for a private tutoring company. She is passionate about worship and helping families receive the love of God that she has known.
Patsy Freeman
Patsy, married for over 50 years, is the mother of five girls and the grandmother of twenty one grandchildren. She has walked intimately with Beth (her daughter) and Stephen through their adoptions and has an integral role in the lives of her four adopted grandchildren. Patsy leads the intercession team at Northlands Church and is active in prayer ministry.
Hope at Home is dedicated to help adoptive and foster parents encounter the Father’s heart for their families, partnering with God to transform orphans into sons and daughters. We firmly believe in the redeeming and healing power of God for our families and children. We are convinced that His will is for our children to become whole, healed and healthy.
The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. – Isaiah 58:11-12
We seek to provide regular blog posts on topics such as
- Adopted Children's Stories
- Biological Children's Stories
- Encouragement
- Wholeness and Healing
- Marriage
- Waiting and Early Days
- Attachment/Bonding
- Parenting in Grace
- Identity
We would love for you to join us at one of our Hope at Home events! Every fall we host a Hope at Home Conference for adoptive and foster parents, waiting parents, and those who come alongside adoptive and foster families. These conferences provide a time of refreshing as we encounter the Father’s heart towards adoptive families. It is going beyond a traditional conference to equip and restore parents
as they face the exciting and often challenging task of transforming orphans into sons and daughters. You will:
- Receive renewed strength for your parenting ministry
- Be equipped with new practical skills and insights
- Learn how to access God’s resources for physical, emotional, and spiritual needs
- Enjoy the powerful prayer ministry offered throughout the event
- Be encouraged by sharing experiences with other adoptive parents
- Make authentic connections with others who share your commitment to children
- Receive encouragement for your marriage
It has also been a joy for us to host Hope at Home, Heart to Heart. These more intimate home meetings are scheduled throughout the year and provide a place where parents, waiting parents, and those who come alongside, can connect, share and be encouraged in the Lord. There is nothing like praying with people who will believe with you for God to move in your child, in your family, and in you!
Stay connected with all of these events and find out the details as we announce them by liking our Facebook Page. You will receive daily encouragement, scriptures, resources, and Hope at Home news there.
As a ministry of Northlands Church, Hope at Home operates under the authority and covering of the Northlands’ elders. The Hope at Home leadership team consists of people who are passionate about helping adoptive and foster parents live in the fullness of God’s joy, peace and power as they successfully parent their children. Beth Templeton and Susan Hillis are the primary leaders of the ministry. Meet our team:
Beth Templeton
Beth has been married to her husband, Stephen, for 25 years. They have seven children, ages 16 to 23. Several years after giving birth to three girls, God called their family into the adventure and blessing of adoption. In 2000, they brought home a brother and sister, ages 5 and 10, from Russia. Then they returned to the same orphanage 18 months later and brought home two more brothers, ages 7 and 10. Currently, two of their children are in high school, four are in college, and one has graduated. Beth is a leader at Northlands Church and leads a ministry to mothers. She has a passion for communicating the joy, peace and victory available to us as parents.
Susan Hillis, PhD, MS
Dr. Hillis has been a believer for 38 years, married to a godly servant for 35, a mother for 26, a US government federal official for 20, and a university professor for 10 years. She is the mother of 11 children, 8 of whom were adopted from Russia after the tragic death of her first-born son on the day before his tenth birthday. It is her deep joy and privilege to have received untold personal blessings from the living God. She has worked and ministered in countries in South America, Africa, and Eastern Europe. She participates widely as an invited speaker at scientific and Christian conferences. She has published more than 80 articles in scientific medical journals and is considered one of the leading infectious diseases experts on the HIV risk among vulnerable youth around the world. Dr. Hillis is a recent recipient of the Outstanding Service Medal as a Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service.
During her married life she has worn many hats, including stay-at-home mom, graduate student, missionary, government official, nurse, scientist, and university professor. She has experienced infertility, caring for a son with a fatal heart condition, loss of her son through a fatal biking accident, and 8 international adoptions of older children from Russian orphanages. She, her husband, and their 10 children recently lost their home in the 2009 Atlanta floods, which were declared a presidential disaster.
Her experience suggests that God’s goodness is bigger than all the storms of life.
Stephen Templeton
Stephen is married to Beth and is the father of seven children. He is on the leadership team at Northlands Church where he is an elder. He has a heart for worship and experiencing the presence of God. He serves as one of the worship leaders of the church. He is also a physician and practices dermatopathology in Atlanta.
Brian Hillis
Brian, a father of 11 kids, 8 adopted from Russia at older ages, is by training both an educator and a CPA. During the first 15 years of marriage, he worked outside the home as a missionary in Latin America, an educator, and a CPA. During the next 20 years, his work was primarily in the home, serving God by loving his wife and all those children.
Greg Haswell
Greg has been in ministry alongside his wife Michelle for 25 years. Twelve years ago God called them from South Africa to start a church in Atlanta. He is a Bible teacher and church planter who builds into churches and church leaderships around the world. Greg and Michelle currently live in Atlanta, GA where Greg is the pastor of Northlands Church.
Michelle Haswell
Michelle has spent a number of years in education as an elementary school teacher and as head of faculty. She enjoys ministry to women, prophetic ministry and seeing lives restored to wholeness. Michelle travels with her husband Greg, ministering with him in churches around the world. They have one married daughter, Nicole.
Jenni Means
Jenni has been leading in children’s ministry for 25 years and is currently on staff at Northlands Church. With a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and many years of teaching in both public and private Christian schools, Jenni is highly qualified to speak to parents. She has come alongside many adopted children and their families as through her ministry. Jenni has partnered with No More Crumbs Ministries in training children, youth and adults in Georgia, Holland, Ukraine, UK and Malaysia. She has been married to Scott for 29 years; they have three daughters.
Scott Means
Scott runs a popular marriage blog called Journey to Surrender. He is passionate about renewing and strengthening marriages in the church through the exploration of biblical marriage principles. He sums up his blog with the phrase: “Marriage was God’s idea, so let’s do it His way!” Scott is also one of the worship leaders at Northlands Church in Atlanta. He and his wife, Jenni, have been married for 29 years and have three wonderful daughters. Their ministry to adoptive families has touched many lives for eternity. They are ones God has called to come alongside, and they have done that well, and have learned much about the needs that arise.
Emma Templeton
Emma is the oldest of seven siblings, four of whom were adopted from Russia. Over the years Emma travelled four times to Russia. A Davidson College graduate of 2011 with a major in political science and a minor in music, Emma now lives in Atlanta and works for a private tutoring company. She is passionate about worship and helping families receive the love of God that she has known.
Patsy Freeman
Patsy, married for over 50 years, is the mother of five girls and the grandmother of twenty one grandchildren. She has walked intimately with Beth (her daughter) and Stephen through their adoptions and has an integral role in the lives of her four adopted grandchildren. Patsy leads the intercession team at Northlands Church and is active in prayer ministry.
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