Susan Klaus

Founder/Executive Director

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Susan is graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Educational Studies and a Master’s Degree in American History from University of South Florida.  As a result of her work with children abroad and within the continental U.S., Susan realized her calling to help children and their families.  Adoption and Foster Care Alliance (now known as Agape Ministries) began in 2012 to support and equip foster and adoptive families.  

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In 2014, Susan founded Agape Ranch, investing herself in leaving a better legacy for the foster children in the Coastal Bend and throughout Texas.  Susan and her husband, Tim, have five children, three adopted and two biological.  They are also foster parents and have provided homes for 10 foster children over the years.

Liddy Vargas

Director of Programs

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Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Liddy moved to Corpus Christi in 2009 to attend school.  She graduated from Hardin Simmons University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science and a minor in Biblical Studies in 2015.  Liddy speaks and writes Spanish fluently.  

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Liddy and her husband, Bernardo, were married in 2013.  They worship and serve in leadership at Emmaus Church in Corpus Christi.  The Vargas family is passionate about ministry and the local community.  Liddy joined the Agape Ranch staff in 2017 as the Program Coordinator.

Kandee Richardson-Guartuche

Development Coordinator

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Kandee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. Currently, Kandee is in the process of earning a doctorate in Educational Leadership.  Her career in education as a teacher, counselor, and administrator has spanned 19 years.

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Even though Kandee is proud of her accomplishments and passionate about her work, nothing is more precious to her than her family. She and her husband, Oscar, have seven children, ages 28 to 7.  Most of all, Kandee relies on her faith as her source of inspiration.  This scripture embodies Kandee’s life mission.  Deuteronomy 6:5 states “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Kandee joined the Agape Ranch team in 2015 and has served in various capacities.  

Lelia Trusdell

Administrative Assistant

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Lelia moved to Corpus Christi in 2017 with her husband, Paul, who is currently serving in the Navy.  They have two sons, Paul Jr. and Johnny , grades 6 and 1.  Her family worships and serves at Fellowship of Oso Creek, where Lelia can be found at the welcome table greeting visitors.  She also volunteers with the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps as the Training Officer of the Texas Division, and she is a board member of the Navy League of Corpus Christi.  Lelia joined the Agape Ranch team in 2018.

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Joel Perritte

CarePortal Pastoral Ambassador

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Joel is the founding pastor of Emmaus Church in Corpus Christi, Texas. Emmaus Church recently marked their fifth anniversary in the fall of 2018; the church family remains committed to the vision - it would be in Corpus Christi as it is in Heaven. Joel’s passion is to equip the church to treasure King Jesus as a family of disciples on mission for the glory of God, the good of the city, and the joy of the nations.  Joel also serves as the Pastoral Ambassador for CarePortal in South Texas. Joel and his wife Kari have been married for 15 years and have two children, Barnabas and Jonatha.

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Tuesday Shaw

Web Designer

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Tuesday is a graduate of Codeup in San Antonio, Texas, with a certificate in Software Development. Her grandparents fostered and adopted several children when she was a child.  She has always been passionate about making a positive impact for children in the world, especially foster children. Tuesday lives in San Antonio with her husband Ian, 3 dogs, and 2 cats. Tuesday joined the team in 2019 as the Web Designer.  One of her favorite verses is "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." Col. 3:14

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