Gaby Ugarte

...I know this to be true – God seeks and saves those who are lost – long before they are aware of who He is. (Luke 19:10)

I am a single mom with four children: a talented adult son, an exceptional teen daughter, and adorable twin little girls. I give everything I have to making sure that my kids have all that they need, training them as they grow into whole, godly, and happy people.

As a child, I was raised in a traditional denomination where I learned about religion but did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. I learned that prayer was a way to talk to God. I grew up in a rough Californian neighborhood, with more focus on “hood” than neighborliness. Gang life was all around, but my parents worked on keeping her family together.

At 15, I was pregnant, single, and had decided to have an abortion. I wasn’t sure that it was the right thing to do.  In the abortion clinic, I decided to talk to God. Praying, I asked God what to do. This is what I heard the Lord say, “You can do this. You are not alone. You won’t be the first (single mom) and you won’t be the last.”

I chose life for my son! Later, I  moved to Hood River in 2003 with my partner and two children. In 2008, I separated from him and began life on my own as a single mom.

In 2010, I was invited to go to Covenant for a parenting seminar with a friend. I wanted to go back to the church again, but the friend declined, so I tried to talk her sister into coming to church with me instead. Nevertheless, the next week I found myself at Covenant alone yet determined. Since then, I've committed my life to Christ, and still attend Covenant regularly, and I've brought many people with me.

When asked what I see as different in my life now, I say, “I have more compassion for people, but it has grown to include gang-related youth, pregnant single moms, and teens who want to know more about real life with Jesus.” Because I know that God sought me out to save me, I work to reach other people with the love of Jesus, so they can know the awesome God too.

At Covenant Hood River, I serve as a faithful volunteer in the Kid’s Church, Nursery, and Information Kiosk. Professionally, I am a property manager at a local apartment complex. Prior to that, I served as a Center’s Director with the local Pregnancy Resource Center as well as an insurance agent with Farmers.

I believe my personal strengths are interpersonal aptitudes and strong organizational skills. I enjoy helping people, especially when I can encourage them to find hope and life in Jesus. Many times, while working with young teen moms, my compassion and encouragement helped them choose life, continue their pregnancy, and give their heart to God.

- Gaby