Jodi Stout resides in Havana, Illinois with her husband of 25 years, Mike. Jodi has 2 children, 2 bonus children and is Grandma to 8 beautiful grandchildren, including a 3-month-old grandson, Drew Steven, who entered heaven in 2014 and a 16-year-old grandson, Ashton Michael, who entered heaven in 2020. Both died of preventable deaths.
Jodi knows grief intimately. Her journey has taken her from having a surface Christianity to experiencing a deeper, more dependent walk with Jesus. She has developed a purpose-driven life learning to trust God and submit daily to His will. Through her faith she has turned her trials into a testimony. Out of Jodi’s grief were birthed two ministries that enable her to reach others who need the same hope she needed for their lives.
Group 15 was established for local teens in memory of her 16 year old grandson. Group 15 became a support group for teens dealing with grief. There they learned to deal with loss from a Christian perspective. Many questions were answered and lives were changed. Teens were witnessing to their families. The community came together and doors were opened for many to become baptized, grow in their faith, learn to spread kindness like confetti and so much more! She is known as "Grandma Jodi" to nearly every teenager in her hometown of Havana, Illinois.
Mountain Top Journey is also a ministry that developed as a result of Drew and Ashton's deaths. For years, Jodi has been taking her grandchildren to the Smokey Mountains for vacations. After Ashton's death, her older grandchildren and some friends asked her to take them to the mountains to help heal from their grief. Jodi, her grandsons, and their friends experienced the beginning of the healing process from grief in the mountains. Spending time in nature and focusing on God and His plans made a difference in all their lives. Jodi knew that others in tough circumstances may benefit from this type of experience. After much prayer and planning Jodi became the President and Founder of Mountain Top Journey, a retreat for adults and teens designed to help them relax, release, reconnect, and be rejuvenated from life's traumas.
Before retiring, Jodi and her husband owned and operated a Commercial Roofing Company. On a Part time basis, she assists with hosting at several seminars, conventions and business meetings thru the Conklin, Co., which often gives her an opportunity to build relationships with many great people! She is a Volunteer/Speaker for the Great Banquet Community, and often is involved in events and projects at her hometown church, Havana Church of Christ. One of the projects she and her husband committed to was remodeling the church nursery in memory of their infant grandson, Drew. Together, they minister to families about safe sleeping habits for their babies. Since the remodel and sharing with families, the nursery is now full of Joy with God's greatest gift - lots of babies! Jodi enjoys Public Speaking to many groups, both small and large. Group 15 chose her to speak at their Baccalaureate, the year Ashton would have graduated from High School.
Her mission is to help others through their grief, to find the peace that only God can provide. It is a mission determined to help others turn their trials in life to testimonies that will change other lives. Jodi strives to be a difference maker to others through her love for Jesus.
Jodi knows grief intimately. Her journey has taken her from having a surface Christianity to experiencing a deeper, more dependent walk with Jesus. She has developed a purpose-driven life learning to trust God and submit daily to His will. Through her faith she has turned her trials into a testimony. Out of Jodi’s grief were birthed two ministries that enable her to reach others who need the same hope she needed for their lives.
Group 15 was established for local teens in memory of her 16 year old grandson. Group 15 became a support group for teens dealing with grief. There they learned to deal with loss from a Christian perspective. Many questions were answered and lives were changed. Teens were witnessing to their families. The community came together and doors were opened for many to become baptized, grow in their faith, learn to spread kindness like confetti and so much more! She is known as "Grandma Jodi" to nearly every teenager in her hometown of Havana, Illinois.
Mountain Top Journey is also a ministry that developed as a result of Drew and Ashton's deaths. For years, Jodi has been taking her grandchildren to the Smokey Mountains for vacations. After Ashton's death, her older grandchildren and some friends asked her to take them to the mountains to help heal from their grief. Jodi, her grandsons, and their friends experienced the beginning of the healing process from grief in the mountains. Spending time in nature and focusing on God and His plans made a difference in all their lives. Jodi knew that others in tough circumstances may benefit from this type of experience. After much prayer and planning Jodi became the President and Founder of Mountain Top Journey, a retreat for adults and teens designed to help them relax, release, reconnect, and be rejuvenated from life's traumas.
Before retiring, Jodi and her husband owned and operated a Commercial Roofing Company. On a Part time basis, she assists with hosting at several seminars, conventions and business meetings thru the Conklin, Co., which often gives her an opportunity to build relationships with many great people! She is a Volunteer/Speaker for the Great Banquet Community, and often is involved in events and projects at her hometown church, Havana Church of Christ. One of the projects she and her husband committed to was remodeling the church nursery in memory of their infant grandson, Drew. Together, they minister to families about safe sleeping habits for their babies. Since the remodel and sharing with families, the nursery is now full of Joy with God's greatest gift - lots of babies! Jodi enjoys Public Speaking to many groups, both small and large. Group 15 chose her to speak at their Baccalaureate, the year Ashton would have graduated from High School.
Her mission is to help others through their grief, to find the peace that only God can provide. It is a mission determined to help others turn their trials in life to testimonies that will change other lives. Jodi strives to be a difference maker to others through her love for Jesus.