Jim and Lynne Jackson
Jim and Lynne Jackson, founders of Connected Families and co-authors of How to Grow a Connected Family and Discipline that Connects with Your Child’s Heart, have over fifty years combined professional experience working with children, teens, and families.
In 1990, after serving as ministry staff in two large churches and bearing two intense and lively kids, Jim & Lynne became very intentional about parenting, and then about helping other parents. Lynne became a pediatric Occupational Therapist. Jim became a director of a ministry to high-risk teens and their families. They added a third child, completing their AAA hat-trick (that is, adding a third child with ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies. Quite an intense bunch!).
As Jim & Lynne toughed out those early years, they started developing numerous resources to inspire and equip parents for grace and truth in their relationships at home. After serving hundreds of parents and thousands of kids it became clear more was needed.
In 2002 Jim & Lynne founded Connected Families to partner with churches to build strong families. Their presentations bring real life to audiences through impromptu role-plays, transparent stories of their own successes and failures, and stories of the experiences of hundreds of parents they have coached over the years. They leave parents laughing, crying, encouraged and equipped to uniquely bring God’s grace to life in their homes right away! As Faith@Home coaches, Jim & Lynne work with church staff to create church-wide strategies to more effectively equip parents for discipleship in their homes. Whether in the trenches with parents as mentors, on the stage as presenters, or in planning meetings with staff, Jim & Lynne bring a wealth of experience, overflowing passion, and years of wisdom to their service.
Testimonials:
“I had the privilege of being in a parent training seminar with Jim and Lynne as they led a group of churched and un-churched parents in several sessions on how to raise Godly students. I was envious of their ability to draw in the parents and then supply them with practical Biblical help.” Mark Gold – Friendship Church, nationally known speaker and life-long youthworker.
“Jim & Lynne’s presentation style is so incredibly real, and personal! I felt like I was sitting with them in their living room, even though there were a hundred people in the room.” Marci Mohan – Family Connections Director, St. Michael’s Lutheran Church
“I have never seen such a powerful blending of sound Christian thinking with practical ideas parents can use now! This is the parenting message I’ve been waiting to hear!” Pastor John Dack – Children and Family Pastor, Faith Covenant Church.
Chad Hayenga
Assistant Director, Connected Families
Chad Hayenga has been married twenty years and has three children. Chad has spent over 17 years ministering to teens and families as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Life Coach, and counselor. After seeing a young client return from a mission trip on fire for God only to have her fire extinguished by an unsupportive home environment, he realized the importance of helping whole families find God’s purpose. He has been working to reach out to parents and kids ever since.
Cell: (612) 390-3230
