Pat and Don Griggs
1993 Educator of the Year

"...we must remind ourselves that we are not in charge. Go is. Perhaps the most important thing we can do is to remember who we are and what our relationship is to God...We are God's partners...How exciting is this wonderful adventure to which God has called us."

Pat and Don Griggs are known for their more than 30 years of church education leadership in and for local churches, their ministry through Griggs Educational Service and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, their many publications by Abingdon Press, and their current work with The Logos System Associates.

In their first church in Phoenix, AZ, Don oversaw the educational ministry of the church and Pat developed programs for children. When they moved to First Presbyterian Church in Livermore, CA, the session encouraged experimentation, and they responded with intergenerational classes, midweek classes for primary age children, and a midweek Junior High program that grew so large that all the youth who wanted to come could not be accommodated.

It was apparent that the need for teacher training was great, so in 1968 Don and Pat provided teacher training services and resources through Griggs Educational Service. This was an opportunity to encourage and support others in their ministries of Christian education.

In 1978 they moved to Richmond, VA, where Don began the Continuing Education Program and taught Christian education courses at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education, while Pat continued to manage Griggs Educational Service. Currently Don and Pat share a full time position with The Logos System Associates, lead workshops, teach courses, write and edit, do consultations, and volunteer in two local congregations.