Jill Bekaert
Kids' Community Director
408.252.5500 x107
As Kids' Community Director, Jill Bekaert provides leadership for the church's ministry to its children. "I love being with the children, connecting with families, and problem solving. All three. The children make me laugh, challenge me to grow in my communication skills and personal life with God, and intrigue me to no end as I join them in their journey towards Jesus." Jill has been attending The River since 2004 and began her role as Kids' Community Director in the summer of 2007.
Prior to The River, Jill was involved with a ministry to college students (InterVarsity) for 10 years. She worked on a team that developed the Oakland Urban Ministry program and served at Mills College, Saint Mary’s College, and UC Santa Cruz. She has also worked in childcare and spiritual direction on a very part time basis.
Jill is married to Gilles who runs a private psychotherapy practice. Together they love to travel (or at least talk about it a lot!). They have two sons, Conor and Nathaniel, which Jill describes as "two of the best things that have ever happened to me. All together, we are happiest outdoors and connecting with nature - it is very centering for me to see what God has managed to create and maintain without my help. I like to garden, and could have been an organic farmer in another life."