Christina Marie Houser

Memorial trees planted for:

Christina Marie Houser

<p>Christina Marie Hurt Houser (Tina) was born on August 29, 1956 in New Albany, Indiana to James and Carolyn Bir Hurt, now Smith. She grew up in New Albany and graduated as valedictorian of New Albany High School in 1974. As a teen she did some fashion modeling, and was a beauty pageant winner twice. During that same period, she won an Eisenhower Scholarship to Anderson University, where she attended until her marriage. Eventually, she graduated from Indiana University (Kokomo). On June 18, 1976 she married Claude Houser (Ray). As a pastoral family they lived in various locations including California, Indiana, Georgia, Illinois, and for her final few months in Kentucky. Tina gave birth to one son, Jarad.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>On her 18th birthday Tina was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The rest of her life she fought that disease with courage and tenacity. The fight included 70 surgeries, but though generally in pain, she exuded joy to all around her.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Tina felt called to be a pastor’s wife. When she found Ray, she could fulfill that calling, but God called her further. As a teen she was a church organist, and she thought that she would help her pastor/husband by playing the piano, or organ, and leading music. However, the arthritis progressed rapidly in her hands and took away her ability to play instruments. She mourned this and wondered what God wanted her to do. Because the church needed someone to help, she began doing a little work with children. When she was almost 30, she felt God call her to make children’s ministry her focus. Tina was a very creative person, and she began to use that creativity to find ways to teach children about Jesus. As a result of Tina’s children’s ministry, churches they served began to grow spiritually, and numerically as families found that their kids were welcomed, and that they had fun while learning. Soon, she started writing children’s curriculum for Sunday school. Before long her first book, “More Than Cookies and Punch” about using snacks to reinforce the teaching of Bible stories, was published. After that, came many books of creative ways to help children learn. Tina also wrote “Building Children’s Ministry” which has been used as a text at colleges Her final book was “Heirlooms” about creative ways for grandparents to share their lives and faith with their grandchildren. She became editor of “Kidzmatter” magazine, and began travelling across the country to teach at conferences, and workshops while continuing as Children’s Pastor. Tina loved it all! As she spread the teaching of Jesus using characters like Dr. Bunsenburner, Captain Kidd, and Betty Chickencoop she had fun, and felt fulfilled.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>But the arthritis never left her alone, and in recent years it finally knocked her down. She continued being involved with the children’s program at her son’s church until last spring. Tina fought bravely, but at the end, when she could no longer hold a pen, or even work a keyboard she was ready, and finally even anxious, to go home to the Savior she loved and served so well. She is with Him now, and the arthritis with its pain and debilitation are finally conquered. The effects of her life will live on as people who learned creative teaching from her continue to teach children. Not only that, the children she taught, whom she liked to call “my kids”, are growing up and living out the faith she introduced to them. In turn “her kids” are now having children with whom they also share that faith.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>Tina is survived by her husband, Ray, and their son, Jarad. She is also survived by her mother, Carolyn Smith, a brother, Dr. James (Jamie) Hurt, and a sister, Tracy Dugan. Also surviving are three grandchildren: Bowen, Kendall, and Lucille Houser. She was preceded in death by her father James Hurt.</p><p><br></p><p>You can remember Tina with a donation to Tina Houser Children's Ministry Fund please go to Eastland.org/give and select Tina Houser Children's Ministry Fund.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Care Cremation and Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with final care.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>
August 29, 1956 - December 25, 202408/29/195612/25/2024
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Christina Marie Houser
Christina Marie Houser
4 Trees have been planted in memory of Christina Houser.

Memorial Trees

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Anonymous

January 26, 2025

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Christina Marie Houser has been arranged by Anonymous. Plant a tree
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Phil and Louann helvie

January 02, 2025

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Christina Marie Houser has been arranged by Phil and Louann helvie. Plant a tree
In honor of a life well lived full of faith and service to others.
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Ron & Lois Helvie and Sharon Stahlman

December 31, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Christina Marie Houser has been arranged by Ron & Lois Helvie and Sharon Stahlman. Plant a tree
So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers to you and your family.
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Anonymous

December 30, 2024

The planting of 1 memorial tree in the honor of Christina Marie Houser has been arranged by Anonymous. Plant a tree
From: Mike and Sherry StewartAdult Enrichment Sunday School Class Eastland Church of GodShe was very much loved in our Class