Israel Valdez - Director of Programs
Israel was raised in Lindale, TX where he was brought up attending the Lindale Church of Christ. He would graduate high school from Bishop T.K. Gorman High in Tyler, TX and attend Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS where he met his wife Valerie and majored in Criminal Justice. While in college, Israel and Valerie nurtured their relationship by attending the Salina church of Christ. After college, Israel would find employment with the Texas Department of Public Safety as a State Trooper for the Highway Patrol Division, but would also serve as a recovery diver for the department. After becoming employed by TXDPS, Israel and Valerie married and were stationed in Magnolia, TX where they matured their marriage and began their family as members of the Magnolia church of Christ.
After 7 Years as a State Trooper, a career change was evoked and Israel would attend the Southwest School of Biblical Studies in Austin, TX to pursue full-time ministry. Upon completing the 2-year program, Israel would attend Cherokee Day with the Gabriel Oaks Church of Christ and be approached with the opportunity to do the Lord’s work here at Cherokee Home for Children as a relief house parent for the boys' cottages. After much prayer and consideration, he and his wife Valerie would accept the position and enter the culture of caring for children. Upon transitions in the administration, Israel transitioned to his current position as the Director of Programs after a year of house parenting.
Israel still actively fills the pulpit and enjoys filling in for many of the preachers in the surrounding area. It is his vision is to uphold the covenantal institution of the family created by God and function according to God’s kingdom principles so that it flows into the lives of the children, church, and society. He desires to instruct and exemplify Christianity to those in the realm of his influence so that they may embody peace, wisdom, glory, fertility, and purity as they enter adult life and not turn away from the way they have been trained to go (Prov 22:6) but are equipped to function under the kingdom’s authority in every area of life.
