The Ladd Family Story
Kacy left Texas in 2010 for six months of missions in South Africa. She didn't know then she was leaving her family counseling career to begin her own family. She quickly met a two-year boy named Lifa that would grow up calling her "Mom". Kacy spent five years caring for Lifa and serving rural churches and townships before she met a handsome man from Tennessee.
The History
Chris knew he would serve God since he was 13-years old. He worked in his hometown, Knoxville, TN until it was time to "go". Chris moved to South Africa in 2014, where he directed a non-profit organization for rural churches and townships.
We met through similar work, familiar accents and the tiny town we shared. We became friends, and then (in true Ladd fashion) got straight to the point.
Chris was prompted by God to start a life-changing conversation in February 2015. Kacy didn't know what was coming as we shared our personal callings, values and dreams. We'd never shared romantic feelings for one another, but we chose a future together while sitting on separate couches that night. We decided we could be better together. We awkwardly side-hugged and said our goodbyes that evening. The next week, we got a babysitter for Lifa and went on our first date! Eight months later, we were deeply in love. We became a family of three on September 12, 2015 when we walked down a grassy African aisle, still soft from giraffe footprints.
Soon after the wedding, we dreamt about the "perfect ministry model". Chris knew, "The Church! The Church is the perfect, most complete ministry." And that was it. We knew we were made to build His Church, and it was time to get going. We prayed, explored, and sought counsel until we were certain God had called us to Cape Town, South Africa. We loaded 8-year old Lifa, two dogs and a few suitcases into our shared vehicle and drove for two days across the country to Cape Town in 2017.
The Transition
The next three years would be the hardest of our lives. We contended with racism, legal corruption, social isolation, rejection, severe mental health issues, and humbling doubt as our church plant just wasn't taking root. Chris says he's most grateful for these years because they intrinsically changed him. We wouldn't be who we are today without them.
Lifa found a love for rugby in Cape Town and started acclimating to a very different life than we'd had before. Benjamin was born in 2019, and he and Lifa created the most incredible bond during South Africa's extensive Covid-19 lockdowns. Wyatt entered the world in 2022 and completed our family with incredible joy. The three bothers have a fierce and rowdy love for each other.
The Ministry Part
We had the privilege of leading a local church in Cape Town from 2021-2024. It was an extraordinary season for our family. We were shaped as leaders as we learned and taught others to hear God's voice and do what He says. We began to understand Benjamin's atypical autism diagnosis during this time and leaned in to what being a special needs family looks like in church and as pastors.
Chris serves on the board of South Africa's Irresistible Church Network (ICN), developing a supportive network aimed at putting a church in every community that is truly irresistible for any and every one. Special needs has widened our passion to bring Jesus into each community in a way that every type of person can access Him.
Today, we are running forward with the same calling God placed on our hearts from the very beginning. We are starting a new irresistible church in Cape Town! We are hopeful and expectant. We are honored and excited to lean in, hear our Father's voice, and do what He asks of us as we lay the groundwork for His church. His love for the Church and His children far surpasses ours. It is our joy to co-labor with Him.
The Part Where We Say Thank You
We thank God for every part of the story He's entrusted us with, and especially for every person who prays, gives, and walks this journey with us. Thank you. Really, really. Thank you.
We pray that you will see God in our story - and in yours too!
