Meet Lisa Stephens! She was born in Orlando, Fla., grew up in Ormond Beach, Fla., and moved to Georgia in her early twenties. In 2004, she moved to Jackson County when her husband, Chris, started Hope Crossings Church in Jefferson. It didn’t take long for Jackson County to become her favorite place to live and call home! When they arrived in the community, she began looking for a way to volunteer. At that time, Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring was just being created, and she attended one of the early new mentor training sessions. A few weeks later, Lisa was asked to become the “volunteer coordinator” for the program, and she agreed. She volunteered for a couple of years to get the program going in all three Jackson County school systems. She eventually became a part-time coordinator while also working five years as the Marketing Director at Chick-fil-A Commerce. In 2012, Lisa became the founding director of Lindsay’s Legacy Mentoring, Inc., and she is currently employed by the school systems as the mentor coordinator of Legacy Youth Mentoring, which is the youth mentoring program of Jackson County, Jefferson City, and Commerce City Schools. She also is a pastor’s wife and adores her church family at Hope Crossings. She says it has been an incredible journey over the last 17 years!
Lisa Stephens has and continues to have such a positive impact on the youth of our county. We want to thank her for telling us a little more about herself and her love of our community.
Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Answer: “I’ve been married to my high-school sweetheart, Chris Stephens, for 38 years. Our son Tyler and his wife, Kate, live in Waco, Texas on a beautiful farm. He is a Waco Firefighter but started right here in Jackson County as a volunteer firefighter in high school. We love visiting their place in Texas, our home away from home. Our daughter Amanda and her husband Zach currently live in Maryland as Zach finishes Georgetown Law School. He has already accepted a position at an Atlanta law firm, which makes this mama happy. Katelyn our youngest, is currently student teaching and graduating from UGA this spring. Lastly, there is Norah, my sweet Labradoodle and a zillion grand animals!”
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: “What I love most about my current job is always being able to feel excited and hopeful as I meet the caring Jackson County community members who volunteer their time each month to simply build a friendship with a child or young person who needs a mentor. After 17 years, I’ve personally trained over 1,500 mentors through our training sessions. Each one of those people came to us with the heart to give back and make a difference. The volunteers continuously amaze me! The stories of impact are real and will have a ripple affect in our future generations.”
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “Chick-fil-A Commerce of course! Also, I love That Spot in Jefferson.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
A: “I’ve lived in Jackson County for 18 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: “Janet Adams, she is a retired educator who became a mentor with Legacy Youth Mentoring, and we’ve built an enduring friendship. She truly amazes me.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “I would travel all over Austria. My daughter studied abroad for 6 months in Vienna while at UGA. We visited her there and fell in love with the country and people.”
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “Anything Denzel Washington.”
Q: What advice would you give to people?
A: “All that glitters isn’t gold. Be authentic and genuine. Love God wholeheartedly, and let Him love through you.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I want to visit Prince Edward Island, Canada. There is a World War II memorial there with my grandfather’s name on it. They chose to honor him in PEI even though he was medic in the U.S. Army.”
Q: What is your go to band when you cant decide what to listen to?
A: “Need to Breathe and Elevation Worship.”
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “Maddox Feed and Seed; we spent a lot of time in there when our kids were in FFA and showing sheep. Great memories.”
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “I would love to have lunch with Dr. Ben Carson, because he is brilliant and also has a kindness that I admire. I would like to glean advice on some of his new youth initiatives.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
A: “I love our green pastures, but I love the people the most! It’s a community with heart.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five to 10 years?
A: “I hope I am loving on grandbabies! I always want to mentor young people and young families. It might look different as I age, but I will always to looking for a way to share life and hope with others.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “Not many people can say their high school mascot was a Seabreeze Sandcrab, but I can.”
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A: “Salzburg, Austria and Glacier National Park.”
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
A: “November/ Thanksgiving/ Sept. 16th, my anniversary!”
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A: “The Bible.”
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
A: “My husband, he has a depth of wisdom to offer when I ask for advice, and I’ve asked for a lot of that! He also listens and loves well.”
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
A: “Coffee and fresh bread baking in the oven.”
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: “Family, Laughter, Conversation, Good Nourishment.”
