IN THIS ISSUE:

“Champions for Children”

From the Desk of

Chandler Means

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Finding Home

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Troy Feltner Receives

2014 Chris Keen Award

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Memorial and

Living Honor Gifts

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S u m m e r 2 0 1 4

S e r v i n g F a m i l i e s T h r o u g h t h e S e a s o n s o f L i f e

ANNUAL MARKET EVENT MOVES TO FRANKLIN

Bella Rustica is moving…to a new location and a new month! The Park at HarlinsdaleFarm will host “A Spectacle of American Vintage” this October 10-11. The park is acrossfrom The Factory and only minutes from the Franklin square. This year, we are adding more family-friendly activities on Saturday such as a petting zoo and a gigantic hay maze! Asalways, there will be lots of live music. This year we will have three stages instead of oneso it will only be a few steps away from the incredible shopping and great food trucks!

Bring the family on Saturday and plan to stay the day!

published quarterly byAGAPE, Inc.

4555 Trousdale DriveNashville, TN 37204

615-781-3000fax 615-781-8262

info@agapenashville.org

Chandler MeansExecutive Director

cmeans@agapenashville.org

Kyle FrederickDirector of Development

kfrederick@agapenashville.org

Terry A. CaseyDirector of Clinical Servicestcasey@agapenashville.org

Judy A. RisterDirector of Social Servicesjrister@agapenashville.org

Check us outon the web at

www.agapenashville.org

THE AGAPEMISSIONTo serve the needs of

families, children and adults

in Middle Tennessee with

an unconditional agape love

through Professional Counseling

and Psychological Services,

Adoption Services,

Crisis Foster Care and

Maternity Counseling.

AinAGAPE CTION

AGAPE IN ACTION

FROM THE BOARDROOM

AGAPE BOARD WELCOMES NEW MEMBER

Throughout Scripture, God is described as the defender and fatherof the fatherless (Dt. 10:18; Psalm 68:5). God expects, commands those that love Him, to love and defend the fatherless (Isaiah 1:17; James 1:27). In 1st Century Greece and Rome, it was an accepted practice to

abandon unwanted children along the roadside to die. Children were often thought of as burdens to society. So, when Jesus’ disciples rebuked those bringing children to Jesus because they were “wasting his time,” Jesus became indignant (NIV) and said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”(Luke 17:18; Matt. 19:14) God the Father and God the Son are Champions for Children and so his people must be as well. AGAPE’s history is full of Champions for Children. Adoptive families, foster families, counsel-ors, social workers, board directors, staff, churches and all those who have supported the work of AGAPE prayerfully, financially and as volunteers. In this edition of AGAPE in Action, you will read about two very special Champions for Children. Troy Feltner, this year’s Chris Keen Heart of AGAPE Award recipient, was honored for hiscommitment and dedication to children through his fundraising and support for the AGAPE Kids Classic. The Kids Classic raises funds each year for the children in foster care and special needs adoptions. If you know Troy, you know he is also a voice and an advocate for children andespecially those served through AGAPE. Tracy and Jeff Spurlock and their five beautiful children were featured in the MemorialFoundation’s Annual Report. Tracy and Jeff adopted five children through AGAPE. Now, Tracyand Jeff involve their five children as care givers to other children as they continue to serve asa foster family through AGAPE. Troy Feltner and the Spurlocks are defending the cause of the fatherless and serving as“Champions for Children” in their own special way. Because there are those who provide financial support and advocacy for children like Troy, AGAPE is able to recruit, train and provide needed resources for families willing to adopt and foster children, like the Spurlocks. God continuesto defend the cause of the fatherless by calling on his people to be “Champions for Children.” Have you answered the call?

CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN

FROM THE DESK OF

CHANDLER MEANS

Ramiro Alvarez Ramiro and his wife, Patricia are members at the Rural Hill Church of Christ along with their 14 year old daughter, Vanessa. He serves as the Hispanic Minister at Rural Hill where his wife is also in facility management. Ramiro is the General Manager of ISS Facility Services. He enjoys family gatherings with his 5 siblings, who also reside here in Nashville, and relishes stories from his 98 year old grandmother.

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AGAPE IN ACTION

Tracy and Jeff Spurlock have been fostering children for AGAPE since 2001, caring for 32 kids of all ages seeking shelter from the storms in their lives. “Before Jeff and I became foster parents, we worked all week and didn’t spend much time at home. Our house was just a house with big empty rooms. Kids have turned our house into a home. The house stays messier, but it’s our home.” Tracy and Jeff had always longed for children and believed they were meant to have a family. Fertility problems kept them from conceiving, but God had other plans. “It’s truly amazing how we came to adopt our five children. I tried fertility treatments several times and was unable to have a child. Now, looking back, each one of our adopted children was born during the year that I tried to conceive,” said Tracy. “God was giving me the children I wanted, but AGAPE was the carrier.” During their first year fostering, they cared for two children of a sibling group of four. The other two siblings, twin boys, had been placed with another family. After a year of weekend visitations, the couple decided to keep the three brothers and sister together. The children had regular visits with their birth mom at first, but she slowly began missing visits. Eventually, she asked the Spurlocks if they would adopt them all and in 2005, the couple became parents ofRebekah, Isaiah, David and Jacob. In 2008, the couple adopted an-other little boy, Jonathan, then three months old.

A mother and daughter honored a family member in a special way after they received an unexpected gift from WKRN-News 2.

The idea is simple. News 2 gives a total stranger $500. The recipient then has 60 minutes to improve someone’s life.

Natalie Nix was out with her mother when they were offered the gift. They quickly decided to give the money to a cause close to their heart.

“There’s a place called AGAPE here in Nashville. They take in children and they find Christian homes for them to belong to,” explained Natalie.

They chose AGAPE because Natalie’s father, Mike Nix, passed away three years ago. Natalie said he had a diffi-cult childhood, so places like AGAPE were special to him.

FINDING HOME...AN AGAPE FAMILY RECEIVES HONORS FROM

THE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

AGAPE RECEPIENT OF UNEXPECTED GIFT

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“My dad, he grew up in like 13 different homes, you know, and that sort of thing. And he was in foster care and he could have really benefited from a place like AGAPE and so adoption is really close to our hearts,” Natalie told News 2.

The Nix family called AGAPE who then sent representa-tives over to receive the gift.

“Well, this is a blessing. I gotta tell you, I was just pray-ing last night about some things regarding finances, and I get this phone call today. So that’s really special,” said AGAPE Executive Director, Chandler Means.

AGAPE will use the money to help families pay adop-tion fees. This story originally aired on WKRN News 2 on Friday, April 25. The article was written by WRKN Anchor Dawn Davenport.

The Memorial Foundation wants to be sure that every child has a safe home. They have provided AGAPE over $945,000 since 1996. In 2013, The Memorial Foundation contributed $50,000 to support the agency’s social and clinical service programs.

www.AgapeNashville.org 615-781-3000

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At the 14th AGAPE Kids Classic, Troy Feltner, a participant in all 14 events, was presented the fourth annual “Chris Keen Heart of AGAPE Award” in memory of Chris Keen, a member of the golf tournament Leadership Committee who lost his life in 2010. In presenting the award, the following attributes of Troy were cited by Don Campbell: love of God as evidenced by his faith and assistance to friends/neighbors at every opportunity; love of family; love of coun-try – active duty in Marines and 35 years in TN National Guard; love of community – served 10 years with Boy Scouts and 38 years in Donelson/Hermitage Rotary Club; and love of AGAPE – raised almost $100,000 in donations during the 14 “Kids Classics.” Troy was joined at the awards presentation by his wife Elaine and several other family members.

AGAPE IN ACTION

TROY FELTNER RECEIVES2014 CHRIS KEEN AWARD

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR CLINICAL DIRECTOR,

TERRY CASEY!

On Friday, May 16, professional counselors, ministers, church leaders and counseling students had the chance to build skills and network with other professionals and colleagues at the third annual Caring Connections Conference at Lipscomb University. “This conference is an annual collaboration between AGAPECounseling and Psychological Services and Lipscomb University’s graduate program in clinical mental health counseling,” said Terry Casey, AGAPE’s Clinical Director. “It seeks to attract attendees who work in the professional counseling field as well as those whoprovide pastoral care to individuals and families.”

Terry Casey, Ph.D. was selected by the Tennessee LicensedProfessional Counselor Association (TLPCA) to receive the 2014 Community Service Award for his work as the Chair of the TLPCA Ethics Committee, which included ethics consultations providedto TLPCA members.

2014

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MEMORIAL AND LIVING HONOR GIFTS(JANUARY 16, 2014 – MAY 30, 2014)

MEMORIALSHONOREEDonor

VIRGINIA ALFORDDon and Betsye LedfordCAROL EVANS ARCHERDon and Betsye LedfordMARY LOIS ATNIPBill AtnipJerry AtnipEVA BAGGETTDon and Betsye LedfordMRS. ELIZABETH BENNETTDot and Newsom ReasonoverEDITH AND CHARLIE BILBREYJerry and Brenda StubblefieldLOU ELLEN LEDFORD BILLSJackie and Norma AldridgeDon and Betsye LedfordPHYLLIS BOWERSRobert H. BowersMARY BRADLEYMr. and Mrs. Ed SlaytonBETTY GILES BRATTENC and INFJ Facebook GroupBABY BUSLERMr. and Mrs. Art PeddleALLEN BUZANJackie and Norma AldridgeGLADYS EMOGENE MOON CARROLLJackie and Norma AldridgeDon and Betsye LedfordROSE ANNE CARSONMr. and Mrs. Harold ReynoldsBETH CLEVENGERTom ClevengerJAMES KEVIN COLEJackie and Norma Aldridge ROSIE NELL SPIVEY CRAWFORDJackie and Norma AldridgeDon and Betsye LedfordMRS. LENA DANIELMr. and Mrs. Glenis SmithMARGOT’ FAULK DAVISJudy V. HornadayWAYNE DAVISDoug and Evelyn CouchWILMA DAVISDoug and Evelyn CouchHARVEY ROGER DICKERSONJackie and Norma AldridgeDOT DUKEKenneth and Patsy WeatherfordJERRY DUKESMrs. Lois Westmoreland

HELEN EANESFaye EudaileyLARRY EASTEPJackie and Norma AldridgeMRS. ELLEN ELLISThelma JustissTERRY ELRODMrs. Juanita BurksCONNER FINNEYW. MurrayEMILOU FRAZIERMrs. Patsy WeatherfordMARTHA FRAZIERCeleste L. TillJACK GAW, SR.Nancy and Jack Gaw, Jr.MISTY EZELL GEORGEJane and Marty KittrellMELINDA GROOMMrs. Edna HensleyJUDY HENKELDot and Newsom ReasonoverMR. KELLY HOGGDianna AndersonJudy AttawayRhetta Ray BaileyMr. and Mrs. Tommy BasshamDan and Cynthia BickelDale and Wendy BourqueJim and Anne BryantDavid and Marsha BuffingtonMike and MariLynn CanterburyThe Cindy Capps FamilyCornwell/Henderson Life GroupNina HaileGreg and Linda HardemanHarpeth Hills Church of ChristCharlie, Rachel and Skyler KennerlyChandler and Sheri MeansSeth and Sarah NellerJudy RisterDavid and Melinda ShoemakerFred and Kay WyattMILLIE AND KELLY HOGGSusan HoggLEONA HOLMESRandall and Jolene CrabtreeMRS. WHYTE HOLTMrs. Juanita BurksCAROLYN AND BURT HUNTERJackie and Norma AldridgeSAMMIE HUNTERMr. and Mrs. Eugene ThomasCHARLES JACOBUSRandall and Jolene CrabtreeCARL RAY JOBEJackie and Norma Aldridge

GRADY A. JONES, JR.W. C. Arnold FamilyRon and Doris BussellMr. and Mrs. Tim JohnsonTerry and Sue LoftonLAURIE BISHOP JONESAmy JordanCHRIS KEENJohn and Jennifer SheaKATHY KELLYDoug and Evelyn CouchGAIL LEEDoug and Evelyn CouchHENRY LEIMANLarry and Jean MooreRay and Karen MooreTim and Gail MooreWalter and Maxine MooreRuth and Randall VanceKERRY MAXWELLDot and Newsom ReasonoverMARY FRANCES MEADORMr. and Mrs. Ralph FoxKENLEY RAINE MORTONBrenda StubblefieldFRANCES OWENPaul and Renee FrenchROLAND PINKSTONMr. and Mrs. Garth PinkstonROY PHILLIPSMrs. Celeste TillCLAUDIA SUE RANDOLPHDoug and Evelyn CouchJASON RICHMr. Rocky ThurmanMRS. LAURIE RICHARDSMr. and Mrs. Lemuel EdwardsPHIL SANDERSDon and Betsye LedfordPHIL AND JERRE SANDERSJackie and Norma AldridgeDEMPLE SEWELLRoger and Lisa ShacklettDON SHATESThe Fairways Association, Inc.JEFFREY ALAN SPIVEYMr. and Mrs. Jonathan TaylorCARL STANLEYJerry and Brenda StubblefieldWAYNE STEPHENSMs. Moiselle PeayDOROTHY THOMASONBob, Lee and Matt BurklowMURIEL TODDWildlife Office – District 5FREDA DIANE VIRES TURNERJackie and Norma Aldridge

MRS. VELMA WAKEFIELDDot and Newsom ReasonoverSARA ELIZABETH WALKERColeman and Helen WalkerKATHERINE WALKUPRandall and Jolene CrabtreeHELEN WHITEMr. and Mrs. Garth PinkstonDON BRUCE WINTERSJerry and Loretta Winters

LIVING HONOR GIFTSVICKI AND GEORGE BEARDSherry LawrenceMARK AND TINA FULFORDElizabeth CrockettJETT HAYESMr. and Mrs. William JettLT. COL. SUSAN M. HOGGRandy and Nancy CornwellROG NOLLMs. Sherry LawrenceFRANK AND SUZANNE WHEELERRoger and Lisa ShacklettART WOODS, IIIAssociation of Fund Raising ProfessionalVirginia BousquetPamela G. BrownDiane K. Del ChiaroDawn EatonPamela King

HAPPY 50th ANNIVERSARYMR. AND MRS. CHARLIE FOSTERDon and Betsye Ledford

HAPPY 60th ANNIVERSARYMR. AND MRS. BILL CRAFTONDon and Betsye LedfordMR. AND MRS. ARNOLD LILLYJackie and Norma Aldridge

MOTHER’S DAYREMEMBRANCESMRS. MARCIA CORLEYTim and Beth WebbBERTIE GRIMESMr. and Mrs. Rick GrimesMRS. SANDRA WEBBTim and Beth Webb

DONATETO AGAPEONLINE

www.agapenashville.org

4555 Trousdale Drive • Nashville, • TN 37204-4513 • 615-781-3000 • Fax 615-781-8262

www.agapenashville.org

2014 AGAPE KIDS CLASSIC GIFTSAND PLEDGES EXCEED $204,000

A very special thanks to all who participated!

Grand Prize WinnersL-R: David Patton, John Robinson, Butch Stinson (Team Captain), Angela Stinson

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