Tim & Pam Baker
Founders (Tim and Pam). PHF President (Tim)

Tim and Pam Baker and their three girls, Rebecca (6), Sarah (4) and Rachel (5 months) arrived in China in August 1988, with hearts ready to teach English to the Chinese. Although they were in a city of several million people in northeast China, they were the only westerners in the city and the first westerners that most of their students had ever met.

Although conditions were very primitive at that time, the Bakers fell in love with China and the Chinese people. In 1991 they moved to Beijing, where Tim assumed the position of Director of Operations for University Language Services, a non-profit teaching organization with more than 100 foreign teachers spread across China. It was then that they made their first visit to a local orphanage.

The Bakers became regular volunteers at the orphanage, and the foster parents of a little girl named Esther, who they later adopted. Through Esther and the example set by Tim's assistant, Philip Hayden, the Bakers' passion to help orphans grew. In 1994 they founded the Philip Hayden Foundation, in memory of Phil, who had died the year before at the age of 28 from a rare, undiagnosed heart condition. A year later they formed a partnership with the China Charity Federation to help special needs orphans from all over China. Since then they have provided surgeries for more than 2,600 orphans with varying medical problems, and they have assisted in more than 600 adoptions to families in China, North America, Asia and Europe.

In 1998 the Bakers adopted twin boys, Nathaniel and Zechariah, from an orphanage six hours northwest of Beijing. In 1999, they founded Luke's House, a children's home that would be the beginning of Langfang Children's Village, which now includes five children's homes and a pre-school. Shepherd's Field Children's Village (SFCV) is also becoming a reality, on six acres of land the local government donated for their use. When fully opened, SFCV will include children's homes for about 100 orphans, a medical clinic, guest quarters for those who come to volunteer, a beautiful playground and many other features.

The Bakers have seven children: Rebecca (26), Sarah (24), Rachel (18), Esther (14), Nathaniel and Zechariah (9), and Philip (5). Tim and Pam are both graduates of Bethany College, where they earned degrees in cross-cultural studies. Tim also has a master's degree in education from Oral Roberts University.    Meet our family

Andrew & Rebecca Ackermann
Accountant (Andrew) Data Entry (Rebecca)

Andy recently began working with PHF. He and his wife, Rebecca, were first touched by orphans with the adoption of their son, Noah. They traveled to Cambodia for his adoption in 2001. While visiting the orphanage, they wished they could do more for those children left behind. Andy is really excited about the opportunity to work with PHF. They feel this is an answer to prayer!

Andy and Rebecca live in Louisville, Kentucky. He graduated from Hanover College with a degree in Business Administration. He is a CPA at a local accounting firm. Rebecca is a stay-at-home mom. They have three children: Noah (4), Malia (3), and Saige (2).    Meet our family

Jenny Au
Graphic Designer & Web Developer

Jenny is originally from Hong Kong. She got her start in new media and e-commerce ten years ago creating high traffic volume catalog sites for major U.S. companies after she graduated from SUNY Purchase, Purchase, New York, majored in Art History and Painting. With her experience in web development and the visual arts, she was approached by Tim Baker to volunteer as a graphic designer and web developer for the Philip Hayden Foundation.

Cindy Bergon
U.S. Administrative Coordinator

Cindy is PHF's new US administrative coordinator. She took over for Bob and Wanda Hildreth who retired in DEC 2005. She was introduced to PHF by Bob and Wanda, and is excited and blessed to be a part of this ministry. Cindy has a heart for children, and has traveled on many short term outreach trips, including several to Calvary Chapel Children's Home in Bacolod, Philippines. She looks forward to visiting the ministry in China in the future.

Cindy is married to Gary, her husband of 35 years, in Temecula, California. They have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. Gary is an assistant pastor at Temecula Creek Christian Fellowship in Temecula. Cindy serves in the Children's Ministry and in the Women's Ministry at their church, and also serves alongside her husband when needs arise.

Cindy has had much ministry office experience working as a receptionist, secretary and bookkeeper. She was on staff at Calvary Chapel of Murrieta California for 10 years, and at Calvary Chapel Bible Fellowship for 6 years. She is blessed that God has directed her to PHF, and looks forward with great anticipation to all that God has planned for His glory here in China.    Meet Cindy's Family

John and Desiray Christen
Financial Controller and Sponsorship Coordinator

John and Desiray are from Marshalltown Iowa where John was a manufacturing engineer and Desiray a stay-at-home mother of their two children, Alyson age 5 and Austin age 4. John visited PHF twice in 2006 while traveling to China for his job. The love and passion seen at PHF for these precious children drew John to form a relationship with some of the staff. In early 2007, John and Desiray felt led to move their family to China to work on staff at the Philip Hayden Orphanage.

 

John will fill the role of Financial Controller as well as heading up various projects and looks forward to working in the Chinese culture. Desiray will help gather and communicate information about each child for their sponsors. They look forward to what God has for them at PHF.    Meet John and Desiray's Family

Wei Wei Feng
Accountant

Originally from Langfang, China, Wei Wei received a degree in accounting from Renmin University in Beijing. After graduation she worked in Beijing for some large companies as an accountant. During a holiday, Wei Wei returned to Langfang to visit her family. It was during this visit that she first heard about the work of PHF's Langfang Children's Village and our need for an accountant. Wei Wei visited Langfang Children's Village and was impressed at how well the orphans were being cared for. She was struck by the fact that these children were coming in because they abandoned because they had special needs conditions, but that PHF was providing them surgeries and basically transforming their lives into something beautiful. She made the decision that she wanted to be part of this work and was delighted that she could make a valuable contribution to our team as our staff accountant.

Gao Shufeng
Little Lambs teacher

In 1993, Gao Laoshi graduated from senior high school and became a teacher in the village school. In August of 1994, she went to be trained at Qing Xian and became a certified teacher. She has special interest in drawing and doing crafts. She loves kids and enjoys playing with them. She has worked at PHF since July 2003.

Laura Lao
Assistant and Apprentice

Laura has been working as an assistant and apprentice to our speech therapist Carrie Mills in our new therapy department since July 2007. PHF is her first job after graduating from Langfang Teacher's College this past summer. The special educational, emotional, physical, and relational needs of our lovely, smart kids have captured her heart, and she works hard to best help the kids. She trusts that the collective efforts of the committed, enthusiastic staff make it a lot easier to be more successful in helping these kids. She believes that the sum of the parts can accomplish far more than each individual working on their own, and she is proud of the work she is doing with PHF.

Christina Li
Assistant to Tim Baker

Originally from Jiangxi province, after working in Guangdong province for more than three years, Christina came to Langfang to continue her English studies at New Oriental University City. As the leader of the student union, she had the opportunity to learn about the plight of Chinese orphans, visit them and fundraise for them in school.

 

She first familiarized herself with the work of PHF through the Tramel family when she was their Chinese language tutor right after graduation. She was very moved by what they were doing to help the orphaned children. During one visit to the Langfang Children's Village, a little girl named Olivia smiled at her and crawled to her for a hug. At that moment she knew that she was called to be here. She is very grateful for the opportunity to work with the little children and all the staff at PHF. Christina works as Tim Baker's assistant.

Liu Xueling (Jane)
Physician

Jane comes to us from the city of Langfang and is working on the medical team together with Dr Bill, Dr Ana, Nurse Song, and Patrick. She studied medicine at the Zhangjiakou Medical University where she majored in Clinical Medicine. After graduation from medical school, Jane worked in a local hospital for one year to gain experience to become a good clinical doctor.

She found out about the children's villages on the internet. After hearing the children's stories, she decided to join the PHF team and use her gifts to offer support to these special children who need love and medical care.

Liu Yanhua
Guesthouse Supervisor

Liu Yanhua is from Wenan district in Langfang. Her sincere smile and integrity draw staff and visitors alike. She began working for PHF in 2002 as a children's ayi, and she devoted herself to the care of the children for five years. In those five years, she found no reason to complain or regret her work with these children. She loves how the work affects the children and staff. Because of her diligence and pleasant spirit, Xiao Liu was transferred to Shepherd's Field when it opened in the spring of 2006. She took over the care of the Inn and the organization of the donations brought from all over the world. Even though she has been at Shepherd's Field for many months, the children of the House of Love still cry, "Mama" when they see her. Whether she is caring for guests or children, Xiao Liu is cheerful and enthusiastic.

Charlie McElvy
Web Designer

Charlie received his degree in Graphic Design, and has been developing websites, logos, and more since 1998. He enjoys web design and anything computer-related. He began working with PHF in November of 2006 after contacting Tim Baker regarding ways to serve. Charlie and his wife, Suzanne, have three daughters, Taylor, Peyton & Caedyn, and they are in the process of adopting a little girl from China. He and his family live in Virginia. They learned of PHF through friends at their local church, but recently Charlie has desired to be an active participant in caring for the orphans of China by working with the Philip Hayden Foundation through graphic design and providing website updates.    Meet the family

Carrie Mills
Therapy Director-Speech Therapist

Carrie Mills, a speech pathologist originally from Fredericksburg, Virginia, joined our staff in January 2007. A year before, she had visited China and fallen in love with the children there. Though she initially responded to a posted need for a short-term therapist, she chose to stay longer to launch PHF's therapy program. The therapy program includes play therapy with the children's nannies, special education at Little Lamb's preschool, and therapy training for local staff. She incorporates foreign volunteers in training the staff and networks with local organizations to bring much needed therapies to the special-needs children in China. Her heart for our kids and their development has brought a new energy to our children's homes and our staff.

William & Ana Moody
Pediatrician (Bill) Family Practice Physician (Ana)

Bill is a Board Certified Pediatrician. He is a native of Southern California and attended medical school at the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico. He did his pediatric residency in Fresno, California. He has been in private practice in Fallbrook, California for 19 years. This included one year of Neonatology training. After hearing of the work of PHF from the founder, Tim Baker, he decided to come visit the Children's Village with his family. He was deeply moved by the work with the orphans and decided to close his medical practice and join the work at PHF. The family includes wife Ana and sons Matthew (age 14) and Joshua (almost 12).

Ana is a Family Practice physician who attended medical school at the University of California, Irvine. She did her residency in Family Practice at Valley Medical Center in Fresno, California. She was in private practice until the birth of their children.

She also has training and worked as a Registered Nurse at Los Angeles County Medical Center and at the University of Southern California School of Nursing prior to her medical degree.

She now helps her husband, home schools and nurtures her family. She looks forward to working with the precious Chinese orphans and all the staff at PHF.

They look forward to working at the Children's Village as well as developing the Medical Clinic being built at Shepherd's Field.    Meet our family

Song Xiu-Ping
Nurse

After graduating from Hua Bei Medical School in 1887, Nurse Song began working at the Pipeline Hospital in Langfang in the pediatric department. In 2001, she joined the team at the Langfang Children's Village as our head nurse. Her experience and training have been an asset to our medical team.

Shelby Sun
Transportation Coordinator, Office Assistant

Raised in Langfang city, she attended college in Shijiazhuang city, the capital of Hebei province. After graduating, she worked for a cell phone company. But, it wasn't until she began working at PHF that she found work that made her happy. She was struck by the work the Americans had done and were continuing to do for the children, so she joined PHF in March of 2006. She was determined to good work and has been faithful to that promise. She arranges drivers' schedules, facilitates equipment ordering and delivery, works with Mr. Yu to facilitate maintenance needs, and translates for foreign staff. Her cheerful disposition and servant's heart help guests feel welcome at Shepherd's Field and daily encourage local staff.

Pauline Tan Ngo
Pediatric Cardiologist

Doctor Pauline Tan Ngo is a pediatric cardiologist from the Philippines. She graduated from the Cebu Institute of Medicine, Philippines in 1990, passed her physician licensing examination in 1991 and completed her three year residency program in pediatrics at the Riverside Medical Center, Bacolod City, Philippines in 1996. She obtained a Diplomat Certificate in Pediatrics 1998 and underwent postgraduate fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology at the University of the Philippines - Philippine General Hospital from 1998 - 2001.

Dr. Pauline was an active training house consultant to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Hospital and the Riverside Medical Center, Bacolod City, Philippines. She served as a consultant to the Bacolod Sanitarium and Hospital, Bacolod Doctors Hospital, and Our Lady of Mercy Specialty Hospital. Her memberships include: the Philippine Heart Association, Philippine Society of Pediatric Cardiology, Philippine Pediatric Society, Philippine Medical Association, and the Foundation for the Control and Prevention of Rheumatic Fever.

Dr. Pauline's has a strong heart for orphans and while in the Philippines she donated volunteered at the Calvary Chapel orphanage in Handumanan, Bacolod City Philippines. She moved to Beijing in 2004 to join her husband who is employed in China as an engineer. By God's leading she became friends with PHF team member Lisa Bentley and began volunteering her time and medical talent helping PHF's orphans at Langfang Children's Village. Dr. Pauline comes to LCV every weekend to examine and treat our children and particularly orphans with heart problems. She has become a crucial member of our medical team and has already helped us to save the lives of several children.

Selina Tian
Medical Office Assistant & Translator

Originally from the same district of Tianjin, China that is home to Shepherd’s Field, Selina continues to live in a nearby village. She was an English major at Liao Ning Technical University. During winter vacation in 2006, she came to PHF to be a volunteer. She was so impressed with the work to help orphans, as well as being touched by the harmony, love and peace here. Although the children were abandoned by their families, they are no longer alone. They are surrounded by the love and care from the kind-hearted staff at PHF. After her graduation in the summer of 2007, she officially joined the staff. She treasures the opportunities of each day to help the children and staff. We are delighted to have her as a part of the PHF team.

Lori Trask
General Services

Beginning in 1997, Lori served for 6 1/2 years as the secretary for a growing church in Corvallis, OR. After marrying her husband Keith in 2004, Lori began working as an office assistant at the California based office of Far Reaching Ministries, a ministry which focuses mainly in Africa. She began working part-time for PHF this year preparing and mailing the Heartbeat newsletters.

 

She grew up in a home where Christ was honored and through study of God's Word, prayer and worship, developed a heart for God's glory to be made known throughout the world. As a result of God growing this desire in her heart, she has traveled to various countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America to be a part of His work among the nations of the world. Now that she has settled with her husband and son in California, she is excited to continue being used by God through her work for the children of China.

Wang Keyu
Little Lambs teacher

A Chinese Education major, Wang Laoshi graduated in 2004 with honors from Lang Fang Normal College, He Bei Province. Right after graduating, she took the job as head teacher for Little Lambs Preschool. She loves working with orphans and wants to be a part of giving our children opportunities to enjoy their life.

Jasmine Yang
Financial Office Assistant

Originally from Tianjin, China, Jasmine graduated from Hebei University of Technology. She joined PHF after graduating in July of 2007 and worked as an office assistant here. On first arriving, she was moved by the kids who were abandoned by their family and in need of medical care. At that time, she determined to do something for these orphans who needed love and was very pleased to work with PHF in serving these children. She does her best each day in hopes that will help every orphan have a better life and have hope for a better future. She loves the children, and her sweet spirit is an asset to the PHF office staff.

Wang Yulan
Office Services

Wang Yulan, who is from the remote interior Mongolian grassland, has a kind and virtuous heart. In 2002, she began working for PHF in 2002 as a nanny for the children, to whom she gave much love. Her smile brought delight to the lives of the children in her care. Later, she added the responsibilities of cleaning the PHF office and kitchens. This work has been a good fit for her and her enthusiasm and sweet spirit touch everyone with whom she works. In addition to maintaining the new Shepherd's Field offices, she directs the folding and packing of our newsletter, the Heartbeat. She is so glad to be a part of informing people all over the world about our kids. She has cheerfully devoted her life to the well-being of our children and does so because she believes this is the work God has given her to do.

Helios Xie He
English-Chinese Translator

Things began when Helios and his Californian friend were visiting the grand opening of Shepherd's Field Children's Village back in September 2005; a gentleman from Lafarge offered them a ride to downtown Beijing after the ceremony. It was on their couch, while the director was making a summary speech to their staff that it happened. He said PHF had been looking for a translation agency for their Chinese website plans but none would agree to do it for free. That just naturally came into Helios' ears and heart. After a talk with Tim Baker, the translation project began. Ever since, Helios has loved to dedicate his God-given gift of English-Chinese facility to the work of PHF and Chinese orphans.

Tracy Yan
Little Lambs teacher

Tracy came across the children's villages for the first time while studying at the North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering in Langfang. After working at a business for her first year out of school, this Langfang native began looking for a new environment. She was deeply moved by her 2006 visit to the children's village and touched by the smiling faces and commitment to love and help one another, and as soon as she saw that PHF was hiring, she sent her resume in immediately. She enjoys helping the children and has already learned much under therapy director Carrie Mills. In Fall 2007, she attended training at JHF to become a registered physical therapist in China. Tracy is so happy to have the chance to serve the many wonderful children and have a part in changing their lives for the better.

Candy Zhang
Medical Team Assistant

Originally from Langfang, China, Candy graduated from Hebei University with degrees in Education and Business Management. A recent graduate, she was happy to make PHF her first job, because it is a place where people do good things for the children. Her first day on the job was the same day that the first babies of Shepherd's Field arrived. She believed it to be more than coincidence and took it as a sign that she belongs at PHF.

Zhang Lingling
Assistant Teacher
Little Lambs Teacher

After three years of working in our pre-school, Zhang Laoshi is still delighted to be teaching and seeing the children's smiling faces each day. She has had many different kinds of work experience since graduating from senior high school, but working in PHF as teacher has made her the happiest. She is studying at Tong Zhou, Beijing in her spare time for challenging her mind and helping her to be the best teacher for the children.

Zhang Guangqin
House and Nanny Head Supervisor

Zhang Guangqin, originally from a nearby village, has been working with the Bakers for more than ten years. She has been with PHF since we fostered the first three kids and stands witness to how the work has grown and developed. She has been faithful to caring and loving the children, and they adore her in return. Cries of “Mama” can be heard when Zhang Ayi enters one of the four houses under her supervision. Her diligence and capabilities in leading have made her an essential part of PHF, and she is a true blessing to Pam, with whom she works the most closely. Zhang Ayi is mostly responsible for hiring and training the nannies, overseeing the staff and budget, and ensuring the kids receive the best care. She helps Pam with nanny things including hiring and training them. In these 10 years, she has found no reason to complain and regret her work with these lovely children. Zhang Ayi is delighted with PHF’s development, and she will continue to devote herself to her duties and the children she so loves.

Leah Zimmer
Guest Relations & Writer

Leah Zimmer had started taking Chinese lessons in January 2006 with the idea of returning to China in 2007. She had spent the previous summer as a PHF intern and loved the work the staff was doing for the children. She was expecting to return to the work of orphan care and English teaching after another year of grad school and teaching high school in Tampa, Florida. But, a series of small steps towards visiting China for a month with her Chinese tutor led her to the big step of joining PHF full-time as guest relations coordinator and as writer of the Heartbeat (PHF's monthly newsletter). She loves that it is her main responsibility to tell the story of PHF life to people all over the world, whether they are visiting or reading from afar. As storyteller, she gets to be involved in all of the moments that make up the unique stories of our children, whether it is their initial arrival at LCV, a celebration over a successful surgery, or the rejoicing when they meet their new family. She is delighted to see how God has worked in her own story in bringing her to China and looks forward to continuing to see how her life in China develops.