ABOUT

The Story of Our Community

Our Desire

Modern HomeMakers offers a unique opportunity to regularly meet, and be encouraged by other mothers in the community in a non-denominational Christian setting. Although each mother is different from the next, what ties them together is their desire to be godly women following the biblical mandates for mothers. The desire of Modern HomeMakers is that every woman will be renewed, challenged and equipped for the demanding role as wife and mother.

Three Fold Purpose

  1. To grow in one’s walk with God through Bible Study, prayer, fellowship and worship.
  2. To be a support and encouragement to other moms raising children in today’s society.
  3. To provide relationship-building activities for moms and children.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe the Bible to be inspired by the Holy Spirit, the only infallible, authoritative word of God in all matters of faith and conduct.

We believe in one God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We believe in God the Father, an infinite, personal spirit; perfect in holiness, wisdom, power and love.

We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of each person, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

We believe that Jesus Christ was the only begotten Son of God, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His substitutionary and atoning death through His shed blood, in the resurrection of His crucified body, in His ascension into Heaven, in His continuous intercession for His people, and His personal return in power and glory.

We believe in God, the Holy Spirit, the Helper and Comforter, in His daily guidance and revelation of truth, in His conviction of sin, righteousness and judgment, and in His indwelling presence at the moment of salvation, enabling believers to live godly lives.

We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with sinful nature and are in need of salvation.

We believe that through repentance of our sin and acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ we are regenerated by the Holy Spirit and thereby become a child of God, and will be saved unto the resurrection of eternal life.

We have each made a conscious decision to ask Jesus Christ into our lives to be our personal Savior.

Our Heritage

Homemakers was founded in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 1987 by nationally known author, mentor and speaker, Donna Otto. What began as a small group of mothers supporting each other in their desire to be at home raising their children, has become a large group of women who meet weekly for worship, teaching and small group time. HomeMakers is a great place to make new friends, hear practical teaching and find support, refreshment and encouragement among like-minded women.

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Donna Otto
Founder
HomeMakers primary teacher and advisor, Donna Otto, is a nationally known author and speaker. Donna's enthusiastic heart for Godly women and homes is evident in her inspirational teaching at HomeMakers. Donna challenges women to understand what the Bible says about how to live their lives as women, wives and mothers. She does this by helping her audience understand what God intended by multiple Bible references to the topic being discussed. Donna's teaching blends humor, current-day concerns and Biblical truths into a memorable teaching that challenges women to live ``counterculture`` lives for the benefit of their families and spiritual health.
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Traci Tope
Traci Tope is a partner in two businesses. She and her husband Michael have three adult children and are enjoying five grandchildren. A beach kid from Southern California, Traci has put roots down in Scottsdale, Arizona. She has a deep love for God's Word and a passion to see women grow in ever-increasing intimacy with Jesus.
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Erin Moosbrugger
An Arizona native and ASU Business school graduate, Erin has been a member of Modern Homemakers (previously Homemakers By Choice) for almost 30 years, holding various positions in the organization and currently as a Board Member. Erin continues to be involved with the organization because it was a lifeline to her as a young married woman with children in her early 20’s. “Everything I know about being a godly wife, woman, mother and homemaker, I learned from Donna Otto! The support and encouragement I gained through the community of women I met through Homemakers By Choice was, and continues to be, a priceless gift in my life.”
Erin has been married to Peter for 33 years (largely thanks to Homemakers!) and they have two grown, happily married daughters and one grandson who thankfully all reside in the Phoenix area.
Together with her husband they are business owners in Peter Thomas Designs, Moose Marketing Screen Printing and Embroidery and Zoyo Neighborhood Yogurt. Erin is currently working full time as the Regional Administrator for Young Life in Arizona.
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Marcia Christensen
Marcia has been married to her best friend, Don, for 45 years. They have two grown daughters, Brandi Lapadura and Dee Gallivan. She has been blessed with five beautiful grandchildren. Her life has been very full, working in many ministries around the world and traveling to many 3rd World countries, delivering the message of hope and love from our Lord Jesus Christ. She has also been blessed to be a part of many local ministries. One that has touched her heart dearly is Modern Homemakers. She has been a Board member for years and has seen women's lives changed all over the world. These women are forever changed as women, wives, mothers and keepers of the home. Many of these women would have been lost without what they learned through Modern Homemakers and have commented that this ministry ``changed their lives.`` This ministry is vital in this ever changing world we live in. It is a blessing for Marcia to be involved with her dear friend, Donna Otto. Donna's teachings are so valuable. Even though life is busy, ``I am happy to give my time to Modern Homemakers.``
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Chris Tooker
Chris Tooker has been married to Michael for 21 years, and has two sons, David 16 and Grant 13. She has been a part of Homemakers since 2001 after the birth of her first son when she was searching for a community of support for stay at home moms. Chris has been active in volunteering at her children’s schools over the years, and at a variety of local charities. Chris received her Bachelors in Business Administration in Management from the University of Texas at Austin. Recently, she went back to work part-time and serves as the Human Resource Manager at Scottsdale Bible Church.

more to come…

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Crystal Goodman
Executive Director
We are pleased to introduce you to Crystal Goodman, our bright, energetic and committed Executive Director for Modern Homemakers. Crystal brings energy and love for the stay-at-home mother and the ministry of our organization. She is married and the mother of two college daughters whom she raised with the help of her husband Blake. Crystal will be the leader and catalyst for all programs and materials to help Modern Homemakers and our wonderful audience (you!).

Crystal and Donna will make a terrific team as we launch this new season of encouragement to mothers and homemakers, please keep them in your prayers.

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Nancy Gerardo
Audio Visual Director
Nancy Gerardo has been a member of Modern Homemakers since 1999, then known as Homemakers By Choice. She is the proud mom of Gina, 25, and Alex, 21. She has been married to her high school sweetheart, Oscar, for 35 years. After Nancy attended her first 'Home for Christmas' event, she joined the weekly study group and, subsequently, a small group within Homemakers and made lifelong friends who still meet to this day. Nancy joined the podcast team over 10 years ago and regularly records the lessons taught by Donna. Never considering herself very techie, she learned to edit and upload the lessons and truly loves being a part of this ministry which she said has helped her so much in her growth as a woman, wife, mother, and homemaker.

For more than 25 years Donna Otto, home and life management expert, has shared inspiration and practical wisdom. She is an Author and founder of Modern Homemakers, formerly Homemakers By Choice, a national organization which offers weekly teaching for a new generation of “counter culture” women who are making a home in the 21st century. To hundreds of young homemakers, Donna has been the wise, fun, Godly Aunt every young woman wishes she had. Each teaching session encourages women in their role as a woman, wife, mother, and keeper of the home. She is also the founder of Mentors for the Next Generation, a program facilitating mentoring relationships between older and younger women.

Donna and her husband, David, have been married for more than 30 years and live in Arizona. They have one daughter and two grandchildren.

Personal

Donna is a unique combination of talent and energy. Her background explains some of that. She was born in Chicago in 1946 to Esther and Michael Centanne. Her dad is of strong Italian background, while her mom’s people came from Persia, now known as Iran. So… Donna is a dark-haired, dark-eyed woman with wonderfully expressive gestures and a passion for ideas and people. She is the energetic firstborn of a vibrant family that claimed Chicago as home until moving to Phoenix in 1979. Donna is a graduate of Amundson High School and attended Moody Bible Institute. She is currently working on her Masters degree in Divinity.

Family

Donna is married to David, a Scottsdale tax attorney. They have one daughter, Anissa, who graduated from Westmont College and is in the master’s program at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Faith / Church

Donna committed herself to Christ in 1962, an event which changed the course of her life. She has ministered to women as a speaker and author since 1982. David and Donna are members of Scottsdale Bible Church where they are active in church ministries including women’s ministry (Donna), church elder (David), mission work, church planting, new membership classes, Sunday school teachers, and intern programs. At one time, they were even members of the choir. They think serving is an action verb!

Vocational

Donna often says she is “just a homemaker” because she knows what a big and valuable job that is. But Donna also has found time to write 10 books and speak to literally thousands of women over the years, primarily on organizational and mentoring subjects. Donna served on the executive committee of the Luis Palau Evangelistic Crusade and is a member of the board of the Phoenix Seminary. David is also president of the Greater Arizona Christian Community Foundation.

Relational

Donna has a strong commitment to the many people God brings into her life. She leads a bi-monthly Bible study with a group of young mothers who call themselves Lilies. She is also 17 years into a lifelong covenant to meet regularly with a group of sisters in Christ, called her Chaber Sisters.

Community

Donna is a community person, giving her time and resources to Christian and community work. She is an avid Diamondbacks baseball fan and works to improve her neighborhood in small and large ways.

Donna Otto
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