Meet Stacia—Non-profit founder, adoptive mama, and worship leader!
Stacia is a beautiful person. She shares her life story below and what led her to found I Matter Too, a national non-profit supporting foster children and connecting them with mentors, over a decade ago.
Stacia is also a gifted worship leader and songwriter, and a loving adoptive mom to one amazing young girl! Stacia comes from a large family with five siblings, sixteen nieces and nephews, and a sweet puppy named Sophie.
Stacia, tell us about yourself—your Jesus story, heart, and passions.
I came to receive Jesus in my heart at 25 years old. I grew up in Maryland and had been introduced to Jesus at a Methodist church where my father taught Sunday School but never made the choice personally to follow Christ (I was a toddler at the time). Once I was capable of making my own decisions, my parents got divorced and I suffered other childhood trauma and abuse. I spent my teen and young adult years running away from God.
On my 21st birthday, my father mailed me a Bible with my name engraved on it and a neat, beautifully written note inside: “Read and pray at least a little bit every day.” 4 years later, I reached for that Bible and screamed out to God, "God, if You are real, please show me. Jesus, please come live in my heart." I had faith as small as a mustard seed.
The Word declares, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." That day at 25 years young, I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior and have never looked back.
Share the I Matter Too story - why you created it and how!
I Matter Too is a 501(c)(3) charity founded in 2007 in the weeks following my baptism. I made a public declaration of my faith in Jesus in 2007, and that same year I Matter Too and my music ministry was birthed. I received the vision to form I Matter Too from God after spending 3 days fasting out in nature, seeking God with my Bible and a journal. On the third day, He began writing the vision on my heart and I began writing in on paper. It was an entirely new path for my life and one God showed me only step by step, sometimes moment by moment.
I Matter Too mentors and tutors orphaned, abused, and neglected children through the love of Jesus Christ. We have served thousands of children growing up in foster care or other non-permanent placements and provide academic tutors, loving Christian mentors, food, groceries and other needed support.
[Editor’s note: What an absolutely beautiful story, Stacia! We love what God has done in your life!]
Share Neveah’s story. What led you to adopt and how did it happen?
My greatest accomplishment in life is being a mommy to my 10 year old daughter, Nevaeh. She is a sweet, bubby, intelligent young woman full of personality.
When she grows up, she wants to be a mommy, history tour guide, and adoptive parent. Her desire to adopt stems from her personal story of growing up in foster care her first 3 years. I met Nevaeh when she was 2 years old through I Matter Too.
Never in my greatest imagination did I think that through mentoring at I Matter Too, God would lead me to become a mother through adoption. Looking back, He fulfilled His great promise: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)
As I reflect on how God could choose to birth any of us into His family and how God's choice was to adopt each one of us as His way to make us His sons and daughters, I am greatly humbled that He would choose me to become a mommy to His precious child that same way. Adoption has a way of building a bond so closely connected as mother-daughter that it breaks all earthly bonds and is heavenly.
A fun few facts about us: I have the honor of teaching my daughter all day through homeschooling, and out of all her academics and schooling, she most enjoys reading and learning from me in our family business. She also loves art, tennis, and has a deep compassion for the homeless and children that need adoption.
Share highlights from your work, motherhood, and worship experience!
My highlights looking back over the last decade would include becoming a mommy to Nevaeh, becoming a worship leader, writing my first 2 EP's (some whose songs share stories at I Matter Too), and serving God through worship teams in local churches.
I've been honored to travel and lead worship at various churches. I enjoy seeing believers come together from all different backgrounds and walks of life, all in unity, singing and praising Jesus as one people, one church. It gives me great joy to lead others in worshipping God. It's blessed me deeply and shown me how closely connected we all are as brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ.
What do you tell those who want to follow you and start a passion project?
I would say to other women wanting to start a new business or charity or follow their passions in other ways is, first and foremost, seek God. Most likely you've already done that and that is why this passion won't leave your heart.
After you've prayed, fasted, and sought God to the depths you are able, take the next tangible steps and take action. Any step forward is better than not stepping (which is a step backward).
So move forward. Ignore the messages of the enemy that say "You are too old," "You aren't smart enough", or whatever that insecurity may be.... and stay deeply connected to God's word. That will guard your heart in God's truth and keep you on your right path.
How can women best support what you’re doing?
The best way women can support the church as a whole is to be faithful to do whatever it is that God has asked you to do. If that's to serve in your local church, then serve. If that's to write a book, then get writing. If that is to mentor a child or adopt, then do that. The body of Christ is best served when each of us are doing our small part.
Is there anything else you’d love to share?
The thing I would share with all women, regardless of where you find yourself in life right now, is to accept and embrace how unique and beautiful God has made you. There is truly only one "add your name here". Though you may draw inspiration off other women or role models you look up to (I have a list of my own), always remember that God has only made one you!
You were created with a unique set of gifts and talents, and no one on this earth can do exactly what God created you to do. So be courageous, stay humble, and pursue with your whole heart all God has for you.
If you'd like to get in touch, you can connect with Stacia here:
I Matter Too — imattertoo.org
Connect on Facebook — @staciahepburn
Connect on Instagram — @staciahepburn
Email her — Stacia’s email
Thank you Stacia for sharing your incredible story!
We love hearing how God changed your life and passions so beautifully as an adult! Thank you for your faithfulness in sharing His love and kindness with children in need and encouraging others to do the same. We appreciate you so much!