Meet Our new house parents!

A note from Steve and Laura Lympus...

​We started out doing college and youth ministry together 20 years ago. Laura co-directed a residence hall of over 400 students at Seattle Pacific University, while Steve was a youth & college pastor at a nearby church where Laura was a high school leader. When they got married in 2004, Steve moved into the dorm with Laura.
 
Since then, we’ve adopted four kids – now teenagers – and we’ve never stopped loving doing life with young adults! Laura also works for Big Table, a Christian non-profit helping people in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and Steve is a Presbyterian pastor (also a writer and a substitute teacher). Steve lived in Missoula when the AO got started, and we’ve always stayed connected to the ministry. Our kids live with us in the AO House, but we also own a nearby place where they “land” sometimes, bring their friends, and call their own.
 
What I (Steve) see Laura bringing to the table is a rare combination of someone who sees the best in other people, but is also unafraid to speak the hard truths we all must hear. Laura's ability to love unconditionally, but hold people accountable, is why we have strong and transformative relationships with our 4 kids' birthparents. That, plus her mad planning skills, is how our family of 6-plus-Sadie-the-dog survives our epic road trip adventures.
 
What I (Laura) see Steve bringing to the table is a deep giftedness for incarnational ministry... a presence that makes whomever he is with feel not only seen and heard, but like they are the most important person in the world. He is a natural community builder, especially with kids and young adults. And he makes killer banana pancakes!
 
We both believe in the power of Christian community to shape hearts, minds, and relationships in the way of Jesus, and the AO House is an incredibly unique place to do this. Young adults need freedom to explore and experiment, but also safe places to land when they fail. A home that is bigger than their mistakes, deeper than their fears, and not stuck in their pasts. A place where they are loved with no strings attached.
 
Over two decades ago, Deb and Jeff Greer heard God call them to take an enormous risk on the AO. They were faithful to follow, and Jesus has done amazing things in the lives of so many young adults. We are humbled and excited to follow in their footsteps!

​Here is a little video our adoption agency here did on our family last year – you can catch a view of our 4 spicy kiddos:
https://vimeo.com/584631760?fbclid=IwAR3xEByxpn1YI_FxuqbJeEPwwXSWq9FoDY6_ETl6OrXCpRXwhk_H0svtfGs ​