Valerie Hanson became a follower of Christ as a young adult while completing her bachelor’s degree at Chico State University. She built a firm foundation in her faith through her discipleship with Campus Crusade (Cru). Through Cru, she met her now-husband Scott. Though challenged to enter full-time ministry, they both felt called to the corporate world.

Valerie worked in computer information systems at Intel until she left to stay home full time with their first child. Scott and Valerie credit Weekend to Remember marriage getaways and HomeBuilder’s Bible studies for their strong marriage.

Valerie has a passion for encouraging others to grow in their faith and loves to make the most of each season of life. She hosts a neighborhood women’s Bible study, as well as hundreds of women annually at her Women’s Outreach Luncheon.

She and Scott partner with Cru’s Jesus Film Project, and Valerie has traveled internationally as part of their Women’s Prayer Journey. They also partner with the Luis Palau Association,, and Valerie served on the Board of Trustees for William Jessup University.

Valerie is deeply committed to their local church, Lakeside Church, having stints in youth ministry, pre-marriage ministry, serving as director of women’s ministry, and most recently serving as vice chair of their elder board. She also served as an advocate for Fostering Success, an organization that mentors college-age, former foster youth and with CASA as a Court Appointed Special Advocate to foster youth.

Valerie and Scott have four children and live in Northern California. Three months after their youngest biological child left for college, God revealed His plan for them to adopt two daughters needing a forever family. This has brought their marriage back to earlier seasons of parenting, and they’re grateful for the encouragement and equipping through FamilyLife. They are thankful to God for keeping them in the stream of influencing families in their community and beyond.