Getting to Know Janelle Stoops
Greetings, A3 Family! I'm Janelle Stoops and I’m so excited join A3. I’d love to share a little about myself and begin getting to know you as we serve together!
My Upbringing
I grew up in Torrance, California, on the coast, as the youngest of a big family. When I share about my faith journey, I usually begin by talking a little about my parents because they were integral to it. I grew up with parents who knew and loved the Lord, though they actually became believers when I was just a couple of months old. I had the benefit of being raised in a family where we went to church and studied the Bible together.
My Faith's Foundation
I became a Christian when I was about five years old, so very young, and I’ve had the benefit of walking with the Lord all of these years. It was probably during middle school, when I was around 13, that I clearly remember realizing God wants people to be fully committed to Him, not lukewarm. Around that time, I also recognized that up until then, my parents had been making me go to church, and I realized that this faith needed to be my own. It couldn’t be my parents’ faith or anyone else’s—it had to be mine. At that point, I decided that I loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him wholeheartedly for the rest of my life.
Church Community & Discipleship
I grew up going to church in the South Bay. I first attended St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and then moved to Rolling Hills Covenant Church, where I am still a member today. There, I had the opportunity to be discipled and really grow in my faith. I am so blessed to have had mentors, people who discipled me, and pastors who faithfully taught the Word throughout my childhood.
God's Calling on My Life
I first felt God’s call to ministry when I was 16 years old while attending a Bible study at church. I remember God calling me to serve Him and bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Later, while I was in college, I went on a short-term trip to Central Asia. During that trip, God not only reaffirmed His calling on my life but also gave me clear direction that He wanted me to return to Central Asia.
Education & Preparation
I graduated from UCLA with a degree in Communication Studies. After graduating, I attended Talbot Seminary for about a year, where I took classes toward a certificate in Biblical Studies. At that point, I knew I would be moving overseas someday, and I wanted a solid foundation in the Word of God and in how to study it. More recently, I earned my master’s degree in Organizational Leadership with a concentration in Global Business Leadership and Communication. I believe all of my educational experiences have prepared me well for this role. I love leadership and leading international organizations.
My Supportive Family
I am blessed to have an amazing family. I have been married to my amazing husband, Brad, for 25 years. We also live across the street from my mom, who just turned 89. Brad and I have four incredible daughters: Elise, Chloe, Grace, and Brooke, who are 23, 22, 20, and 18 years old.
We have all girls, and they were raised in the Muslim world. I always felt that God gave us our daughters for a reason. While living there, people often asked if we were sad not to have boys or if my husband was angry. I would tell them no—my husband loves the Lord, and the Lord loves girls and women. Having daughters became a way to show the people around us that God values both men and women.
My family has been incredibly supportive of this move to A3. They know that my heart has always been to see leaders developed and to see the Gospel reach the ends of the earth, especially among unreached and unengaged people groups. They believe in the vision, mission, and values of A3, and they are excited to see what the next season holds.
Watch my video...
If the video player does not work, click here... https://vimeo.com/1151693697
Stay tuned for my conversation with Joe Handley, coming soon!
Janelle Stoops
U.S. PRESIDENT OF A3
@janelle.stoops
@janelle.stoops
@janellestoops
Related Information
- Looking Ahead to 2026 + A Big Announcement
- Check out my conversation with Joe here...
- Special thanks to Hearken Creative Services for the videography.
