Agape Families
Welcome to Agape Families!
We hope you find comfort and support here with us. For over eight years we have been entering into difficult spaces and walking alongside families as they deal with the challenges and trauma of having a family member that is incarcerated. We know it isn’t easy. Not for you, not for your children, not for your spouses or siblings or anyone else that you may call family.
That’s why we’re here. To offer a helping hand, a loving prayer, a Christmas gift, a camp experience, a positive role model, and much more.
Learn more about our individual programs here, and if you’re ready to sign your child up for one of our camps or programs, register them here. If you’re wondering “who in the world are these people?” view our staff below!
Welcome to the family, the Agape Family.
Register Your Child
“Agape was an outlet for her when she didn’t have either parent, dad was incarcerated and mom was deep into her addiction. It has really helped her through some of the hardest times in her life. She’s learned so much about forgiveness, stayed positive, and never gave up!”
– Agape Parent
Who We Are
We are the kind of people who love having fun, being with people, and living out the hope of the Gospel everyday. Our passion lies in loving others well and supporting them through troubling times. That passion has found its way to Agape and we care about knowing you, knowing what you’re going through and helping you take a new step each day, walking with the same hope that drives us.
Faith Gilchrist
Director
From: Beaverton, Oregon
Been with Agape since: Cabin Leader in 2013, Camp Administrator in 2014, Camp Director in 2017
Favorite Movie: The Parent Trap (Lindsay Lohan version)
Favorite Thing About Agape: Camp, but more specifically our final campfire night
Ellie Cross
Administration & Event Coordinator
From: Eugene, Oregon
Been with Agape since: Cabin leader since 2014
Favorite Movie: This is hard, probably Peanut Butter Falcon or Gifted
Favorite Thing About Agape: Creating great relationships with campers during camp and seeing them the next year and picking up right where we left off!
Andy Papendieck
Advancement
From: Born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin!
Been with Agape since: Agape Families founder since 2012
Favorite Movie: Tie between Gladiator & Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Thing About Agape: There are so many, but if I have to pick one it would have to be the long term “heart connections” that develop between leaders and kids who participate in our year round programs and keep coming back to camp.
Jesse Aguero
Advisor
From: Born and raised in Sacramento, CA
Been with Agape since: Served in multiple roles since the first Eugene Camp in 2012
Favorite Movie: Tough choice, I love movies! Probably a tie between Tombstone and Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Thing About Agape: Seeing the change in kids from the beginning of camp to the end, and their continued growth through the mentorship program.