Greenville University alum Jill Winslow: a life of faith, family, and fostering

Published: November 26, 2024

Author: Liz Dowell

A GU LOVE STORY AND A FAMILY OF NINE

Jill (McDonald ‘97) Winslow met her husband, Rodney, at Greenville University (formally Greenville College). A shared faith and love for service brought them together. Married for 27 years, the Winslows have built a family with a blend of biological and adopted children.

Their seven children—four biological sons aged 25, 23, 20, and 18; a daughter from northern China, now 14, another daughter aged 3; and a foster daughter age 5—complete their bustling household.

The Winslow's are finalizing the adoption of their 5-year-old daughter this year.

"We knew we wanted a large family," Jill shared. "But it's been God who has shaped and guided us, opening doors to adoption and foster care we hadn't originally planned."

A HEART FOR SERVICE AND NONPROFIT WORK

Jill's professional life has revolved around service in education and nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she was involved with The Restore Network, an organization that supports foster care.

"I had to step back from my job there when our youngest children needed more attention," Jill explained. “But I’m still deeply involved in foster care on a volunteer basis. It’s something I’m called to support.”

The Winslows' commitment to foster care goes beyond parenting, as Jill continues to advocate for policy changes that reduce the amount of time children spend in foster care, better support agency workers, and emphasize trauma training across the board.

FINDING FAITH AND TRANSFORMATION AT GREENVILLE UNIVERSITY

Jill’s path to GU was a defining moment in her faith journey. Initially, she had planned to finish her studies at Eastern Illinois University, but after her brother expressed interest in Greenville, she felt a deep calling to attend.

"When I shared this unexpected decision with my family, my mom encouraged me to follow what I felt was God's guidance," Jill recalled.

Jill completed three years of college but then the Department of Education chair, Professor Kenneth Schmidt, worked with Jill to make it possible.

“Jill was a transfer student to GC. I remember that in those days, we still had "Meet the Faculty" gatherings where freshman and transfer students went to three faculty homes to meet several faculty members, which included dessert at the last home plus some get acquainted games," said Schmidt. "Professor Dale Martin had an activity to help people remember the names of those in their group by adding a descriptor word that started with the same letter as their name."

“The descriptor for Jill was ‘Jumping Jill’. I will always remember that. She had a bubbly personality, always smiling. She had a beautiful outlook on life. Unlike many transfers, Jill fit right in immediately. In class, she was quick to ask questions or comment, which professors love as it indicates someone is listening and learning. It was a joy working with Jill as a student," Schmidt said.

"Professor Schmidt saw that I wasn’t just transferring to complete a degree—I was looking for a place to grow in my faith," Jill said. "GU gave me that space and the community to build a life centered on Christ."

LIFE’S UNEXPECTED TURNS: LESSONS IN FAITH

The Winslow's’ journey has not been without its trials. In 2011, while adopting a child from China, a tornado destroyed their home in Troy, Illinois. Forced to pause the adoption process as they rebuilt. Jill remembers questioning this tragedy.

"It was tough to understand at the time, but looking back, I see how God's timing was at work," she reflected. "God's perfect plan is for children to be with their first families, but we have seen His love and intentionality in allowing us to raise this specific child. The adoption journey was difficult, but I've learned that following Christ often means choosing the more challenging path."

Rodney's thoughts on choosing the "challenging path" have been formed over years of growing up overseas as the son of missionary parents, a career in US public education, and parenting biological and adopted children.

"Being able to follow God's path for us is an act of obedience and humility. It requires a constant reliance on the strength and support we draw from a relationship with Jesus. These acts of faith are bigger than us, because they are invitations to watch God impact the lives of others for His glory."

FAITH, RESILIENCE, AND FAMILY

As Jill's children grow and embark on their own journeys, she offers them the wisdom she’s gained: "If they have learned anything from watching Rodney and I live out our faith, they have learned not to take the pen away from God. Writing a comfortable, safe story is tempting, but when God holds the pen and publishes the story of our lives, he writes epic tales of redemption."

As a young transfer student to GU, Jill could not have imagined her life would include so many twists and turns, but she is emphatic about her gratitude for the way God has given her a front row seat to His goodness.

"Choosing to follow Jesus does not protect us from pain, but it absolutely covers us with grace and mercy to carry us through whatever comes next. I'm learning to walk with open arms toward whatever that is."