Meet Our Team
Jay and Tracy Arntzen
co- Founders
Jay and Tracy Arntzen have been married for 30+ years and have three beautiful sons. In 2008 Jay started his own business, Genesis Elevator Company. In 2013, Jay, along with his middle son Jared, joined a team from Sanctuary Church on a mission trip. God made it clear He was calling the Arntzen's to use their business for orphan care.
On that first mission trip, Jay, at age 54, met a 4 year-old orphaned girl and was not able to pronounce her name, so he called her “Susan.” Jay and Susan bonded instantly and he wanted to adopt her. He learned this wasn't possible due to the closed adoption borders.
After a full year of prayer, searching God’s will, and talking with mentors, Jay and his wife Tracy traveled to Cambodia to introduce the idea of Parent-Partnering to Dr. & Mrs. Castro, and Saving Susan Ministry was birthed. The Arntzens are still in a deep relationship with Susan. They have regular video calls and travel to spend time with her once or twice a year. This same work is being done for orphaned children all over Cambodia and Guatemala. Through unique Parent Partner relationships, a kind of virtual adoption, orphaned children experience the love of a family, music and education, and a pathway out of poverty.
Adam Reiley
Director of Operations
+ Bio
Adam joined the Saving Susan team in 2018 and directs the ministry Programs and internal operations. He graduated from Patrick Henry College in 2012 and brings several years of experience in operations management, leadership and a heart for the care of orphaned and abandoned children to the team. He and his wife Courtney have three children, Jack, Felicity, and Grace, plus three siblings they Parent Partner in Cambodia. His family attends The Grove Church in Acworth.
Sharon Jeffreys
Ministry Coordinator
+ Bio
Sharon joined the team in 2023 as the Ministry Coordinator with many years of ministry related experience. As a former foster parent and an adoptive mom, orphan care is a true passion in her life. Sharon is a pastor's wife and mom to 5 awesome kids, ages Kindergarten to College. Her family attends Lost Mountain Baptist Church.
Nancy Dow
Financial Coordinator
+ Bio
Nancy is a certified CPA and joined the Saving Susan Ministry team in June 2018. Nancy is responsible for managing and maintaining financial transactions and bookkeeping. In addition, Nancy supports ministry logistics and the documentation and minutes of Saving Susan Ministry Board meetings.
Tracy Carpenter
Events Coordinator
+ Bio
Tracy Carpenter DMin, has been a pastor for twenty years. She has been published multiple times in national magazines and produces a wide array of curriculum worldwide. She is an experienced children’s/outreach pastor, communications director, and ministry event coordinator. Tracy has a huge heart for orphan care. She was adopted and had 14 foster brothers and sisters growing up. This has inspired her passion for helping children of all ages find the love of family, hope, and a better future. She and her husband, Mike, have been married for over 30 years and are the parents of two children, Amanda and Adam. They have three grandchildren Silas, Briella and Jaxon.
Allyson Overstreet
Partner Relations Director
+ Bio
Allyson and her husband, Bill, met Jay and Tracy while they were on a mission trip to Cambodia in 2016. Allyson has been a minister’s wife for over 40 years and brings her skills of networking, communication and love of people to the team. She and Bill were born in Birmingham, Alabama and have served churches in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee and Florida. They are graduates of Samford University and have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. They were excited about parent partnering as a way to involve their children and grandchildren in caring for others, especially orphaned and abandoned children. They are a parent partner of a young man in Cambodia - Mengseu.
