Fred Hartsook :: Kidstown

Kidstown International has been partnering with Jesus and his church in India, Nepal, and Romania for the care and flourishing of orphans and vulnerable children for nearly 30 years. Kidstown has sponsored thousands of children through the local church and currently partners with 39 ministries caring for over 700 children.

Kidstown's mission is to empower the local church in India, Nepal, and Romania to reach out with compassion to orphans and vulnerable children so that they may be embraced by Christian community and sent out as adults to break generational cycles of poverty. We do this by partnering with local church-based ministries that are devoted to the most vulnerable children in their communities and inviting the U.S. church to partner in God's global mission through prayer, sponsorship, and academic scholarships.

Fred was born to parents who couldn't care for him in South Korea, and lived in a Christian children's home until he was adopted by a U.S. family when he was 21 months old. Through being raised in the church, participating in multiple short-term mission trips, and his adult life as a pastor, he is committed to connecting as many parts of the body of Christ as possible toward the vision of restoration of Christ's kingdom. Fred joined Kidstown in 2022, and has been leading as Executive Director since 2023. 

Fred was raised nearby in Kent, WA, and now lives in Bellingham, WA with his wife Celeste and two young sons, Felix and Milo. His family and serving as an elder at his local church keep him busy enough, but any spare time gets filled with smoking meats and watching baseball.