Katie’s family - Josh Artman (left), Katie Artman (center), and Kiara Artman (right)
What an exciting adventure God has set as our new direction. Becoming the Children's Minister here at Foothills is a story God has been writing in my life from the very beginning—I just didn't know it at the time.
My name is Katie Artman, and I've called Foothills home since the day I was born. My twin sister and I made our early appearance into the world after AWANA one Tuesday night, and we were in church that following Sunday. It was in Room 209 that a Jr. Church leader shared about heaven and hell through flannelgraphs, and building on what my parents had already taught me, I put my faith in Jesus Christ after a Sunday service.
I was homeschooled K–12 (my mom is amazing) and started volunteering as a Leader in Training in our Kids Ministry at 14. Over the years I've done everything from organizing fundraisers and events in high school to co-leading VBS with our former Children's Minister. After high school, I earned my two-year degree from Chemeketa.
I always thought my story would be typical—get married, have kids, find the white-picket fence. But that wasn't the story God was telling. Through my singleness, I served in the church, went on mission trips, started a career, and lived a life full of adventure. I learned to be content, and that my ring finger doesn't define me. I am a child of the King—that is who I am.
Then, when I least expected it, I met Josh in the fall of 2019. After our first encounter, I remember thinking, "Wouldn't it be funny if this is the guy I marry?" It turned out he was! We were married in the fall of 2020 with a drive-in wedding at the Sublimity Harvest Grounds, and on that day I became both a wife and a bonus-mama to two teenagers. Now they're both married, and we became grandparents last year!
In 2021, we welcomed our little girl, Kiara, into the world. She was diagnosed with Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) in utero, and we chose her name for its meaning: God's gracious gift. We believe every life matters—Psalm 139 tells us we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Parenting a medically complex child can be overwhelming, but we're in it together, with Foothills as our village.
Then 2022 brought a twist we never saw coming: I was diagnosed with Stage IV, non-operable lung cancer. Because it stems from a genetic mutation, I will never medically be considered in remission—I'll have scans, blood work, and appointments every three months for the rest of my life. Through it all, we've found a wonderful oncologist and medical team, and we've learned to hold joy and grief in the same hands, trusting that God isn't finished with our story.
I'm excited to do life and ministry here at Foothills—to bring every part of the story that has shaped me into this moment and let it help shape the future of our Kids Ministry, building on the legacy of Foothills and those who have spoken into my life.
Let's grab coffee and get to know each other better.