Connie Garlick

Connie joined Embracing the Journey, driven by a deep personal calling and professional expertise. Raised in a conservative Christian home, she watched her family’s relationship with her brother, Greg, transform from tension to unconditional love. Connie has been married to Matt for over 20 years and is a mother of three. Inspired by how her parents, Greg and Lynn, welcomed Greg's rejected friends, she teaches her children to extend the same Christlike love to their Uncle Greg and his husband, Jon, a love anchored in humility and a heart that values relationship above all else.

Professional Background & Education:

• Education: Bachelor’s in Special and General Education (Calvin College); Master’s in Educational Leadership (Georgia College and State University).

• Experience: Extensive leadership in program management, strategic planning, and effective communication.

• Background: From her early career in special education to her current role at Embracing the Journey, Connie has followed a lifelong calling to advocate for children and families who might otherwise feel overlooked or misunderstood.Vision as Executive Director

  
  

As Executive Director, Connie aims to build upon the strong foundation established by Greg and Lynn, infusing it with her “next generation” vision and strategy. Her perspective extends beyond the parent-child dynamic to a holistic view of the family system. Connie seeks to broaden the ministry’s influence by fostering homes where parents, siblings, and extended family engage in honest dialogue, remain rooted in faith, and are transformed by love without exclusion and grace without conditions.