Leadership change coming to Children’s Ministry in September

After seven years on the staff of Redeemer, Director of Children’s Ministries Sarah Beaugh will be stepping down in September. Redeemer is pleased to welcome Melanie Hsieh to the staff as the new Director of Children’s Ministries. Melanie’s first day will be September 9^th; Sarah’s last day will be September 16^th.

Sarah joined the Redeemer staff in 2012 as nursery coordinator when Redeemer was worshipping at Edison High School and setting up nurseries in classrooms every week, unpacking bins of play mats and snacks and toys to make space for the children of the congregation. She stepped into the role of Director of Children’s Ministries in 2015, the year after Redeemer moved into its permanent downtown facility, and has overseen a period of tremendous growth and change in children’s ministry. Some of those changes include transitioning the nursery and Training in the Pews programs to accommodate two worship services instead of one, implementing Redeemer’s Child Protection Policy and digital check-in procedures for the children’s program, and growing a Vacation Bible School program that could once fit into the backyards of members into Redeemer’s current VBS which brings 200 children and 100 adult volunteers to the church each summer.

Sarah and her husband, Alex, first attended the Redeemer Christmas Party in 2010 and soon began visiting on Sundays. Sarah says the children’s ministry played a crucial role in convincing them to become members. 

“The children’s program is what drew us to Redeemer,” she says. “It was so theologically rich and so impacting for our girls that in the few weeks we visited we felt like this was where we wanted to be, especially for our children. I never dreamed I would get to be a part of some of that. Our family has flourished at Redeemer in every way, so it has been a double blessing to be at Redeemer and get to be on staff as well.”

RPC Senior Pastor Tom Gibbs says Sarah’s leadership has been pivotal in a very important time for Redeemer and its children’s ministries.

“We are so thankful for Sarah’s contributions over the last seven years of ministry. Her investment both in the nursery and our Children’s Ministry programs have been incalculable,” he says. "The most significant growth and development of our Children’s Ministry programs have happened under her watch, and that’s not an accident. That’s a real testimony to her leadership, creativity, hard work and commitment. We’re going to miss her."

The Beaugh family, Sarah, her husband Alex, a deacon at Redeemer, and their daughters Naomi, Petra and Eden, will still be worshipping and serving at Redeemer.

Melanie Hsieh and her family, husband David, a physician in the United States Air Force, and daughters Cecelia, 14, Leyla, 12, and Maggi, 10, returned to San Antonio for the third time in 2018 after last being stationed in Japan. The Hsiehs were invited to Redeemer by another military family. 

“When we visited, it was the warmth of the body and genuine Christ love demonstrated to each member of our family that drew us to call Redeemer our church home,” Melanie says. “I am looking forward to building relationships with families at Redeemer and partnering with parents in the spiritual formation and discipleship of their children through the love of Christ.”

Melanie’s previous professional background was in pediatric nursing; she also homeschooled her children for four years. She has volunteered with the Pregnancy Care Center since moving to San Antonio and has previously been a volunteer in children’s and youth ministries for 15 years.

“We’re excited to welcome Melanie and we’re thankful for her willingness to jump in and that the Lord has led her to serve in this capacity,” Pastor Gibbs says. “It’s wonderful to see the aspects of her life through which we can see God preparing her for this role.”

As we give thanks for Sarah’s years of service and leadership, please encourage and thank her for the ways she has blessed you or your family through her work. Join us also in welcoming Melanie and supporting her as she begins her work at Redeemer!