A Strong Foundation
IN THE EARLY YEARS OF A PERSON’S LIFE, God lays a foundation for the future. Moments that may seem small or insignificant can profoundly shape the course of a life. For Ginger Glynn Bailey, that foundation began when she was just eight years old. A foundation that would lead to a legacy.
As a young girl in Ozona, Texas, Ginger’s parents stressed the importance of missions and learning about Baptist agencies. On a family vacation, they delivered school supplies to a children’s home. This visit introduced Ginger to the world of social work and ministry with children, and it quickly became her career goal. While in high school, she would write a letter every summer to the Baptist children’s homes in Texas asking if she could volunteer. The only one to ever respond was STCH Ministries, who sent encouragement to graduate and continue God’s will.
Ginger worked hard, graduated from high school and went on to college. After years of dedication, she earned her master’s degree in social work. Shortly before receiving her master’s, she once again wrote to the Baptist children’s homes, this time seeking employment. Disappointed, she learned there were no job openings, so she agreed to take a government job. The secretary was sick the day she arrived to sign her contract, so the paperwork was not ready, and she was told to come back after lunch. Little did she know that God’s plan was bigger than she expected.
Before she could return to sign her paperwork, Ginger received a call from Diane Gryseels, Director of Social Services at STCH Ministries. Diane called to conduct an interview with Ginger that ultimately would lead to a role in the social services department. Ginger moved to the South Texas region in 1976 to work on the Boothe and Marshall campuses in the foster care and adoption area. Ginger immediately fell in love with STCH Ministries’ mission and knew this would be her home.
In 1985, Ginger moved into the Director of Social Services role, where she faithfully served for 38 years. Throughout those years, she impacted the lives of countless children and families. She built relationships with every child who came into care and enjoyed being there for former students when they needed support. To this day, when asked about a former student, Ginger can share when they first came to campus, who their siblings are and a memorable story from their time there. “Relationships and unforgettable memories are made while children are in STCH Ministries’ care,” Ginger shared. “Whether a child has grown up on one of our campuses or stays for a limited time, when they drop by campus to show their kids where they grew up, that contact is all about relationships and memories. It’s about going home knowing someone cares.”
Ginger moved into the role of Quality Improvement Specialist in 2023, improving the campuses until her retirement on July 15, 2026. Over the last three years, she has provided leadership in strategic planning, continuous quality improvement and information systems. She drew on 47 years of experience in social services to develop plans and procedures designed to ensure continued excellence at STCH Ministries long after her departure.
For Ginger, it was never about praise or recognition for her 50 years at STCH Ministries. It was about every child who made a home on one of the campuses. People who worked with her over the years shared what Ginger meant to them:
“With over 50 years in ministry and 50 years at STCH Ministries, Ginger has influenced more students’ lives directly than any other employee. Ginger is retiring from STCH Ministries but will never retire from Kingdom work. Her fulfilling God’s purpose laid before her at homes for children is inspiring! I am and will be forever grateful for her leadership, integrity, friendship, kindness and standing faithful during all seasons at STCH Ministries. Most people are remembered for what they accomplished in life. Ginger’s legacy is about what she helped others to accomplish.” — Greg Huskey, STCH Ministries staff, 1991 – 2025
“I truly understand the cost and sacrifice that Ginger has made serving as part of the STCH Ministries team for the past 50 years. One can only imagine the countless hours, weekends and holidays required of her position to ensure the quality of care provided for those we’ve served during this extensive time span. I always counted on Ginger to be our ‘resident historian’ as so many that we served would call or visit our campuses. Ginger is, and has been, the personification of the biblical ‘good and faithful servant.’ I cannot express the importance of her role and leadership as part of the residential childcare team. I wish her the best as she transitions to the next chapter of life.” — Mark Childs, STCH Ministries staff, 1982 – 2024
“Since 1976, Ginger has been a faithful servant of the Lord, pouring her life into the ministry of caring for children and families in their time of need. Through all the different seasons of her life, she has embodied compassion and demonstrated a steadfastness to her calling that was second to none. The countless lives transformed through her ministry stand as a testimony to how the Good Lord can use us if we are willing to be called. I am grateful to have served alongside Ginger and learned from her during the glorious and challenging times. I am also thankful for the servant’s heart her parents planted in her at such an early age, which made her service with us possible. Well done, Ginger!” — Eron Green, STCH Ministries President/CEO
“Her institutional knowledge, steadfast dedication and servant-hearted leadership have shaped countless lives and families. Ginger has been a steady presence—mentoring colleagues, navigating complex challenges and living out the mission and values of STCH Ministries for five decades. We pray for this new season in Ginger’s life and for the person who will step into her role in the future.
— Doug Young, STCH Ministries Vice President of Campus Ministries
Ginger wanted to share what the last 50 years have meant to her:
“In my time at STCH Ministries, I’ve seen the difference made in the lives of children and families, not only now but for generations to come, and that has kept my passion and commitment strong. Having supervisors with wisdom and integrity in leadership, who encouraged teamwork and gave guidance and support, showing they truly cared about their staff, has also kept me here for 50 years. I’ve enjoyed building relationships with those in care and “being there” for former students needing support. There have been many changes, including technology, state standards and policies, but the need for children and families to have quality care remains the same.
The growth I’ve seen in STCH Ministries from 1976, when there was only the Boothe and Marshall campuses, to now, with us providing services through Campus Ministries, Counseling Ministries and Community Ministries, all of which are meeting the needs of so many, has been encouraging. I’m looking forward to seeing the future growth & impact as lives are impacted at every point of STCH Ministries.”
When Ginger was just eight years old, she could not have known that a visit to a children’s home to deliver school supplies would spark a lifelong calling spanning 50 years of dedication to helping children and families thrive. But God did, using every moment of her life to build the foundation for a lasting legacy, impacting not only her life but the lives of the children who have come to STCH Ministries.
