David and Jackie Askvig

As parents of two Ukrainian sons, four bio children, and several foster children in the past, David and Jackie Askvig are well-versed in living in the overflow of God's provision. Experienced in international adoption, foster and respite care, and special needs adoption, David and Jackie are an open book ready to share about the good and hard of this path.

Nathan and Grace Beldock

Nathan and Grace Beldock, a married couple of 18 years, are both actively involved in their church and raising and homeschooling their seven children together. Nathan is a pilot, while Grace is a registered nurse. Believing that life begins at fertilization, they adopted their last two children through embryo adoption in 2021.

Jennifer Brown

Jen was born and raised in Utah and she and her husband Troy raised their 3 children here. She has worked with hundreds of children and families in the field of Early Child Development for over 30 years. She believes that every child is a precious gift from God, created with purpose, value, and a unique role in His Kingdom. Her passion is to encourage children and families and equip and teach them to carry the light and love of Christ into the world. Working with children is one of her spiritual gifts but she also loves to have fun in God’s beautiful creation by boating, hiking, roller skating, and bird watching.

Kait Buchanan

Kait and her husband, Brad, moved to Utah from the midwest in January 2019 and have been married 10 years this May. They just adopted their 3 year old son, Marco, in September 2025. They love all things outside as a family. On any given day, you can find them in the mountains, rock climbing, camping or fly fishing.

Kaitlin Chapman

Kaitlin and Justin have a 6-year-old son and have welcomed children of all ages - from infants to teens - into their home since 2010. Both were raised in families that fostered, shaping a deep-rooted commitment to caring for children in need. They are passionate about supporting foster families through respite care, mentoring foster youth, and advocating for reunification, caseworkers, nonprofit organizations, and bio families.

Jared Jenkins

Jared joined the Risen Life Church staff in 2012 and currently serves as the Senior & Teaching Pastor. Jared is also one of the five Elders of Risen Life Church. Jared holds a Ph.D. in Old Testament from Gateway Seminary, a M.Div. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Utah.

Jared has a gifting and passion for teaching and preaching the Word of God and regularly does so at Risen Life and other church plants in the Valley. Jared is also one of the founding members of the Salt Lake School of Theology where he teaches Old Testament.

Jared and his wife Amie were married in 2002 and together they have four kids. In his spare time, Jared loves to enjoy all the outdoor recreation Utah has to offer. His favorites activities include rock climbing, skiing, running, hiking, and reading.

Amy King

Amy King is the Director of Promise686 Utah, where she equips and mobilizes churches to care for children and families impacted by foster care. Originally from Michigan, Amy moved to Salt Lake City in 2003 as part of a church plant, an experience that continues to shape her heart for the local church and community engagement. She is a graduate of Oakland University and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Digital Storytelling at Asbury University.

Amy believes storytelling helps humanize foster care and moves people from awareness to action, and she weaves this approach throughout her work with churches. Through training and relationship-building, Amy invites churches to say yes to children and families in ways that fit their calling.

Mike Kirby

Mike and his wife Alison joined Risen Life Church in 2018. Mike was born and reared in Florida, living first in Orlando and then Tallahassee. He attended Florida State University for his undergraduate degree (Applied Mathematics and Computer Science), and then went on to Brown University (Providence, RI) where he earned an Sc.M. in Applied Mathematics, an Sc.M. in Computer Science, and a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics. He joined the University of Utah as a faculty member in 2002, and is currently a Professor in the Kahlert School of Computing.

He and Alison have three (biological) children and have been foster parents of children ranging from four months old to sixteen years old over the past five years.

Hope Nichols, CMHC

Hope Nichols is a licensed clinical mental health counselor who has been practicing since 2016. She sees clients of all ages but mainly works with children who have been adopted out of foster care.

Elizabeth Petterson

Lizzie Minnesota moved to Utah from Minnesota after spending 10 months in the foster care system. In 2012 she was taken in by her maternal aunt and uncle who became her legal guardians, and has had a voice for children in the system ever since. She graduated with two bachelor's degrees and continues to work as a foster care advocate.

Jessica Pugh

Nathan and Jessica and their three sons live in Midvale, UT. They love visiting National Parks, being outside as much as possible, and enjoying a good hibachi. The Pughs have experience in adopting from China, enduring a failed international adoption, and navigating the world of pediatric medical complexities.

Amy Rose

Amy felt called to foster care many years before she brought children into her home and knew God had given her knowledge, resources (both financial and time), and a passion for orphans.

As a single foster (and now adoptive) parent to a medically-complex child, she wants to encourage others that they are more capable than they think and that it truly takes a village to support both the kids and the families that love them.