Kim grew up in Buffalo, New York but moved south to escape the cold as soon as she could. She has lived in South Central Texas for over 20 years. For the last five years, Kim has served as the Associate Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church (CPC) in downtown Austin. Kim began serving CPC as a volunteer in 2010 when she moved to Austin with daughter Samantha (Sam) to begin seminary. In 2012, Kim began The Central Mission, a social service and ministry program for people who are experiencing homelessness and living on a limited income. While serving at CPC, Kim has had many exciting opportunities including leading a worship service for wholeness and healing for Her Excellency Joyce Banda who at the time was the president of Malawi.
Before attending seminary, Kim worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with at risk youth and their families through Communities in Schools of San Antonio. She also served as the Youth Director of Pipe Creek Presbyterian Church in Pipe Creek, Texas for over a decade. While Kim's ministries have expanded, being with young people is still one of her greatest joys!
In 2017, Kim married her one sweet love, Nick Smith-Stanley. They have Sam, who is a Junior at the University of North Texas where she is a film major and Luke an 8th grader at Canyon Vista Middle school. They are also the proud parents of two cats and two dogs, Kittie, Andy, Lillie and Martha.
Kim loves to laugh and her favorite pastime is hiking and being in the great outdoors. She loves spending time with her family and playing with her dogs. She loves all kinds of books but has a particular love for memoirs and Harry Potter.
Kim's greatest desire for the church, is that what binds us together will be greater than anything that seeks to tear us apart. Her prayer is that the church might be a place where all people, from diverse and rich backgrounds, will feel welcomed, included and loved.
