Hannah (Nevins) Riggs
Class of 2001
Posted on April 24, 2023
Hannah (Nevins) Riggs (’01) and her husband, Randy, were married in 2007. Through their involvement in their church, they felt called early on to share the love of Christ with the vulnerable (Isaiah 1:17). Throughout their marriage, this has included participating in community relations activities through their church, as well as house parenting high school at-risk youth in Chicago, inner city ministry in St. Louis and most recently by serving as a foster family.
Hannah explained their family’s journey in this way: “Our passion for becoming a foster family was in connecting ourselves to the whole family unit, not just the child placed in our care. Reunification was and remains our desire for these children. However, we knew there may come a day where a placement might lead to adoption, so we have always made our hearts available to God’s will in that way. Our Faith has been everything in our decision and ongoing journey of fostering and adoption. This decision has truly stretched us to intentionally ask God to give us His eyes and grace as we open our hearts to each child and their family.”
The Riggs have fostered more than 20 children. Hannah says that the most rewarding part of their journey has been the blessing that comes from the reunification and stability that has been gained. The Riggs’ three-year-old adopted twins, Levi and Amelia, are one of their blessings and they truly value the ongoing relationship that they have with their twins’ biological family. Hannah credits the deep and rich Biblical education she received while at Heritage with giving her the tenderness and awareness to hear the Lord when He called her heart to care, love and defend the vulnerable.
Hannah and Randy plan to continue their ministry as a foster family. In fact, their oldest daughter, Mona, was insistent that the adoption of the twins wouldn't hinder their ongoing foster care involvement. “We are always open to God growing our family if He chooses,” Hannah said. For anyone considering fostering, Hannah says, “Just take the leap! The foster system is at a crisis deficit for foster homes. As the Church, we can easily step in and be a safe home – a refuge for vulnerable children. You can’t go wrong investing time into loving others as Christ loves us.”
Hannah and Randy live in Powell, Ohio and have four children, Mona (13), Gavin (11) and twins, Levi and Amelia (3).
