Flourishing Families
Equipping Parents and Caregivers to Navigate Real-World Issues Surrounding Technology, Conflict, and Mental Health for Kids and Teens
Flourishing Families is a free three-session series for parents on the challenges that come up most: screens, conflict at home, and kids' mental health. Sessions are September 20, September 27, and October 4 from 4:30–6:00 PM at Foothills Church.
At each session, a qualified guest speaker presents on a singular topic — how to think about technology in your home, how to handle conflict without it wearing everyone down, how to tell what your child or teen actually needs. Then you'll move to a table with a few other families and a table leader who keeps the conversation going.
These sessions are open to ALL parents and caregivers in the community, regardless of affiliation with Foothills Church. We hope you will join us and share the word with others who you think would benefit from these resources.
Free snacks and childcare are provided by Foothills Church. All childcare workers are background-checked and approved.
What you can expect to take with you:
New friendships with parents in the same season, and connections with those who have already been through it and are glad to walk alongside you
Practical tools you can use at home right away, not just ideas to think about later
Resources to return to when the same questions come up again
A place to keep asking questions long after the three nights are over
Early registration is encouraged to ensure that ample seats, childcare staff, and refreshments are available.
September 20 · September 27 · October 4 | 4:30–6:00 PM | Free
Session 1: September 20, 2026
Navigating Kids and Technology
Speaker: Sam Baker, PHD
Session 2: September 27, 2026
Managing Conflict in the Home
Speaker: Tyler Butenschoen
Session 3: October 4, 2026
Child and Teen Mental Health and Wellness
Speakers: Dr. Guesly Dessieux, DO, and Jack Lander, LPC
Meet the Speakers
Sam Baker, PhD
Sam teaches Bible, theology, and ministry and has spent more than thirty years in church ministry across California, Oregon, and Washington. Dr. Baker is a member of the Society of Professors of Christian Education (SPCE), the Association of Youth Ministry Educators (AYME), and the International Association for the Study of Youth Ministry (IASYM). His research focuses on how technology shapes faith and development. He and his wife Alyson have two grown daughters and two grandkids.
Tyler Butenschoen
Tyler Butenschoen is the Lead Pastor of Foothills Church in Stayton, Oregon. He has served at Foothills for 19 years in various roles. Tyler and his wife, Stacey, have four children—middle school through college age—and are deeply invested in building a healthy family.
Tyler loves to golf, coach youth sports, and is a budding pickleball player.
Dr. Guesly Dessieux, DO
Dr. Guesly Dessieux practices medicine at Santiam Hospital with a primary specialty in Family Medicine. He is a graduate of the University of Health Sciences Osteopathic Medical School; Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Dessieux is married and has three teenage children. The Dessieux family has lived in Stayton for several years and is active in sports, church, and the community.
Jack Lander, LPC
Jack Lander is a Counselor, MA, and LPC Intern based in Salem, Oregon. He serves individuals across age various groups, including toddlers (1 to 3), children (5 to 10), preteens (10 to 13), teens (13 to 18), and adults (18 to 65). Jack specializes in supporting clients with concerns such as anxiety and parenting.
Jack and his wife, Katie, have two children and are active in their community and church in the Salem area. Jack loves hunting and fishing in his free time.
FAQs
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No, this event is completely free. Foothills Church will provide background-checked and approved childcare staff at no cost, along with refreshments and light snacks.
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No. While we encourage you to attend all three sessions, you can choose to attend what works with your family’s schedule. The more you can attend, however, the more connected you will get with your table group, which will stay the same through all three sessions.
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No. This event is open to anyone in the community, regardless of church background. You are welcome as you are.
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Yes. We expect that some families may not have childcare, so we are providing childcare to parents and caregivers that sign up and attend. When you register, you be asked to list the names and ages (up to 11 years old) of children you will be bringing with you.
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Either. Come together if you can, or on your own if that's easier. Single parents, grandparents raising kids, and anyone in a parenting role are all welcome.
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No. Table hosts offer questions to get conversation started, but you can listen as much as you'd like. Nobody will put you on the spot. We do encourage you to open up to those at your table, however, as transparency can forge strong connections with other parents and caregivers.
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The topics apply across ages, and the table conversation naturally covers different stages. Hearing from parents a few years ahead of you is often the most helpful part.
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Each session features guest speaker(s) with real experience in that topic. You can read a bit more about our speakers in the section above in “Meet the Speakers”.
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All three sessions will happen at Foothills Church, located at 975 Fern Ridge Rd SE, Stayton, OR 97383.
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Yes, we encourage pre-registration as this allows us to make sure we have an adequate number of seats, childcare workers, and snacks available.
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No—just one registration is sufficient. There will be a place on your registration form to indicate which sessions you are able to attend. We do encourage you to attend all three though if you are able!
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You will be given materials and resources to keep these conversations going at home in your households. If you are looking for more support or ways to connect further, we offer many different groups and resources that we can help you get plugged into at Foothills!
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If you are looking for more information, you can send an email to our Discipleship Pastor, Conner Locke, at conner@foothillsstayton.org.