Jodi Haun was a beloved friend of Gilmont and an inspiring Christian Educator. Anyone who knew Jodi could tell you one thing about her: she loved play! Whether she was surrounded by materials or had nothing but her imagination, Jodi had a gift for finding play all around her, and getting everyone to join in.
January 8th, 2025 marked the one year anniversary of Jodi’s passing. As friends, family, and loved ones gather to share stories and reminisce on their time with Jodi that was taken away far too soon, one question often comes up; “how do we respect, honor, and cherish the legacy of such a remarkable person?”
To honor not only Jodi, but all of her children she impacted through her years of ministry, a free play space will be built in her honor at Gilmont.
Remembering Jodi
A reflection from a friend - Beth Thompson
Jodi Haun served Christ and the church faithfully as an excellent Christian Educator for just over 40 years. She was generous, a fine leader, and an exuberant child of God.
Throughout her career, she shared her extraordinary leadership abilities with the local churches where she worked and at many Grace Presbytery events, quite a few of which took place at Gilmont. When a KidQuake or a YouthQuake was taking place, Jodi was likely there. Whether participating as an adult sponsor for her church’s children or youth, a small group leader, or the director, Jodi noticed what needed to be done and did it, she saw which participants could benefit from a kind word of thanks or encouragement and lovingly offered that word, and she had a way of including everyone in her enjoyment of life.
For the year 2007, Jodi served as the moderator of Grace Presbytery. This is a big deal because she was the very first Christian Educator to do so. A few years before that, when Grace Presbytery Summer Camp seriously needed to be revitalized, Jodi, Miatta Wilson, and other Christian Educators gathered and got busy doing the hard work of bringing Summer Camp forward to where it could be the strong, fun, Christ-centered program it is now. Way before that, she lead the first Grace Presbytery Youth Ski Trip. Then, she was a Small Group Leader at a Presbyterian Youth Triennium, a Small Group Leader many times, (and the director for one of the weekends) at SHYC at Austin College, and at Synod Youth Workshop, she was a Small Group Leader many summers, the Mission Leader one summer, and the director for two summers. In her last summer at SYW she provided transportation, entertainment, joy, and lively enthusiasm as a part of her Golf Cart Ministry.
Jodi deeply believed in and devoted her career to the ministry of Christian Education and Faith Formation for all ages of people. She loved being a Christian Educator and she loved the Presbyterian Church. One day when she was a college student barely out of school (Oklahoma State University) for the summer, the Director of Christian Education (DCE) at her home church, First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater, OK, called Jodi and told her to pack her suitcase because she was going to church camp to be a counselor for the summer. Jodi’s DCE picked her up, along with her packed suitcase, the very next day and drove her to Dwight Mission Camp and Conference Center, a Presbyterian Camp in eastern Oklahoma. And, well, that was the beginning.
After college graduation, Jodi became a student at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA., where she earned a Master of Arts degree in Christian Education. Soon after, she began her career at Central Presbyterian Church in Waxahachie, TX, continued it at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX, and concluded it at First Presbyterian Church in Grapevine, TX. She retired in June of 2023.
After living a joyful life of faithfulness to God, devotion to the church, and ministry with and to God’s people, whom she loved greatly, Jodi passed from this life to life eternal in January of 2023. Her contagious laugh, welcoming spirit, and faith in God blessed all who knew her.
Free play is built on principles of child-initiated, unstructured activity. Children of all ages are invited to explore and engage with materials in any way they see fit. Free play allows children to take developmentally appropriate risks in a controlled environment, tap into their creativity, and gain awareness of their body.
Over the coming months, several elements will be added to create a nature playscape that will be used as a free play/loose parts play environment. There will be a tunnel for children to crawl through and climb on, a discovery sandpit for children to dig, play, and explore in, loose parts elements for building anything the mind can imagine, and a stump stool seating area for rest and curious conversations. This playscape will be a space for the imagination to run wild. Children will be able to play in a way that engages their vestibular, tactile sensory, and nervous systems.
Jodi Haun was Gilmont’s values personified. During her time, she welcomed children from all walks of life. She immersed them in God’s creation through her love of camping ministries. She was full of wonder-filled play, and showed selfless stewardship throughout her career, inspiring others to do so as well. All of these traits that Jodi exhibited led to her transforming whole lives. Children and adults alike were impacted by Jodi’s ministry, and will forever remember the gifts she brought into this world.
This project enhances and supports Gilmont’s mission to cultivate a safe, sacred space where all are invited to grow closer to God, creation, others, and themselves. This space will officially be known as “Jodi’s Jungle” to honor not only Jodi, but every one of her “children” she impacted through her ministry.
Jodi’s Jungle would not be possible without the generous support of those who called Jodi a friend, colleague, and role model. We would like to thank the Prairie Valley Legacy Fund and all of the individuals who have donated to this project.