Meet the Team!

Q: WHAT LED YOU TO MISSION WACO?

Kathy: The Lord was leading me in the mid-1990s to be more vulnerable and honest about my own life instead of people pleasing and trying to control outcomes by leading. I was tired and looking for a new way to live that was more honest before the Lord, myself, and others. A hope to “live one life well” leads to a more peaceful life instead of the previous ways of trying to keep several stories going at one time, because I was afraid to be honest with myself or others. I found that being in community with people who had more “real life” experiences (including failures) was a better place for practicing that. I love Mission Waco’s mission statement of “empower, equip, engage” because I think it welcomes all of us as learners with room to grow. The person who has lost hope in finding housing or a job or building friendships can become empowered as they walk alongside others who have experience on that journey or connections to resources. The person who has become isolated in their daily life from the impacts of poverty can be equipped to grow in their understanding and compassion. The joining of empowered and equipped voices can lead to powerful engagement in the challenges facing our community and nation, and world.

Libby: My husband’s work brought me here because he got a job at Baylor! I had never been to Waco before, but we found a place online that looked sufficient, so we packed up and moved in right away. Our house ended up being right in the Mission Waco neighborhood! I was working with a friend at the time, and when Mission Waco posted the volunteer position and the group's position, she was like, “Hey, this looks like something you'd be interested in”. This type of work was exactly what I had studied and wanted to do. It seemed serendipitous and part of God’s plan that I was already in the community and then got to work in this awesome team! 

Bailie: My husband and I were living in Michigan, where we both had master's programs, and he decided to get a PhD at Baylor University, so we moved to Waco! I found out about Mission Waco through a friend who had only good things to say about it. I fell in love at my first interview because I felt it was a place willing to work through hard things and help me grow as a person, too. I initially applied for Libby's job, but thankfully, it didn't work out because Libby's in that role! 

Avery: It was the tag word of loving the marginalized, but also the mission of coming alongside those in need, in a dignified way. While looking at the website, I saw “Empower, Equip, Engage,” and that's how I want to engage with those in poverty because it actively lets those in poverty be a part of the process. 

Q: WHAT DOES THE MOBILIZATION TEAM DO FOR MISSION WACO?

Kathy: We have the joy of introducing or welcoming people, and particularly Christians, who
want to grow in living a compassionate life and building relationships with people who
are facing issues related to poverty. I think of it as people who might feel fear or
hesitancy or curiosity can “dip their toe in the water” here when they volunteer,
intern, visit with a group from their church or school, or attend the Poverty Simulation.
We have countless stories of how these early steps have led to new destinations of
personal values, vocations, and relationships for those who have volunteered or interned
in this community.

Bailie: We try to instill compassion in people! We all hold assumptions, biases, and prejudices. By coming to a workshop, staying at an overnight group, or doing our poverty simulation experience, our hope is that some of these prejudices are challenged so that people can be more open to seeing themselves in another person's shoes and increase their compassion for individuals experiencing homelessness. 

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PARTS OF YOUR JOB?

Kathy: With my role as associate executive director for operations and equipping, and having
been on staff for over 25 years, I get to see the whole picture of the organization. I enjoy
working on puzzles, planning, troubleshooting issues, and having meaningful
conversations with people, even if it is during a crisis or tender situation.

Libby:  The people! The people are always my favorite part. I love that we get to interact with all of the different programs of Mission Waco and the amazing work that they do in the community, while also getting to meet people from Baylor, local churches, and churches and schools all over the U.S. who are interested in serving and becoming better neighbors. 

Bailie: I love that we're kind of the bridge for many people in the community to get more connected to folks different than them. We get to be a part of the bigger picture of Mission Waco's role in our community and not be isolated in just one program. 

Avery: I love my team. The mobilization team is super fun. I'm looking forward to the Christmas toy store and getting to meet those families. Also, the volunteers are so passionate about the work we do. They give me perspective when I get to see the way that the volunteers are just gung ho about all that we're doing. It feels like family with staff and volunteers. 

Q: WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK TO LIVE OUT THE MISSION?

Kathy: I’ve been part of Church Under the Bridge for over 26 years and am blessed to have several diverse friendships there. I love driving the church bus as it gives time for
conversations with various people and seeing where they live. Taking someone to the
grocery store or food pantry, or a medical appointment, leads to sharing what’s going on
that day or week, and allows providing practical help. Remembering someone’s birthday and taking them to eat a meal is something I’ve found to be helpful, as many folks rarely have anyone to remember their birthday. It’s also important to leave space and be attuned to receive what the other person is offering, so that friendships grow mutually instead of being one-sided. This can be done through remembering to share prayer requests and pray for each other, noticing the various gifts/talents that the Lord has given to the person, and finding ways to elevate those. I also organize and host the annual Church Under the Bridge Variety Show, which is an awesome night of fun and beauty, and inspiration, as many people get their moment in the spotlight for the first time or on rare occasions.

Libby: It can be challenging to find a balance outside of my position- my issue is I often get too sped up, too busy, and too rushed, where I feel like I miss the opportunities that God gives me to just be relational and connect with people in my day-to-day life. Some things that I love doing to counteract this is worshipping at Church Under the Bridge, going to Dean Highland neighborhood association meetings, and walking my neighborhood more often to grow those relationships. 

Bailie: Having a daughter, this is a question I've been wrestling with because I want to ensure I'm setting healthy boundaries to invest in my direct relationship with her while being an example of how to love the community well. Outside of work, I just try my best to fill a need I see. It can be as simple as taking the time to bring a meal to someone or setting up a time to meet with someone, and bringing my daughter along so that they can meet her. It's easy when you work in the environment to then leave and feel like you've done your part, but my role at Mission Waco is connected and disconnected in many ways from serving people that I care about. 

Avery:  When my fiancé and I go on walks, there are always different people at the parks, and we just stop to talk with them and learn their stories. A large thing Mission Waco has taught me is not just loving them and wanting to get them plugged in and empower them, but just really treating them like friends. And so by just befriending a lot of people, whether they're my neighbors, at the park, or at our church. And when people ask what I do for a living, I get to talk about the work at Mission Waco, and hopefully soften their hearts if they've never considered befriending or talking to people in poverty.