About the founder
Hank Tate
“This is the calling that God has directed me to pursue.”
My story
It started on the floor of a jail cell.
For years I felt like a social failure. Rejection through school led me to a life of self-medication, trying desperately to hide brokenness I'd carried a long time.
One night, lying on the floor of a jail cell, I finally faced it: I could only find freedom by stopping my attempts to hide, and getting help. I walked out of that cell with a desire to be vulnerable with people.
That vulnerability was painful — and healing. It exposed me to judgment, but I was amazed at how many people respected me more for being honest about my failures. The more openly I shared, the more it opened other people's hearts. It also revealed a world of people just as broken as I was.
I became passionate about loving people, especially hurting people — which, it turns out, is everyone. Learning to love others became my life's passion, and it has been a healing balm to my own brokenness. I also discovered unexpected JOY.
Framily
“Friends that are family.”
In 1999, a close friend of my wife Jeannie asked us a question that redirected our lives: “My mom and dad died when I was young. Will you be my mom and dad?” We said yes. We've been saying yes ever since.
30+
Add-On sons & daughters
Not adopted on paper — adopted by heart.
40+
Add-On grandkids
And great-grandkids, and counting.
14
Nationalities
Our Framily spans the world.
80
Love Challenges
Everything we learned, made repeatable.
“It's like we hear God say — I trust you to heal hearts. Here's another one. Love this one too.”
— Hank Tate
In their words
What people say
“There are people who walk through difficult valleys and their whole being radiates something not indicative of their circumstances. That's Hank. If you are looking to unlock something that will bring about real joy in your life, you will want to keep reading.”
Charlie Pomeroy
“Hank is a man greatly endowed with the friendship gene — the gene that reciprocates, is faithful, honest, and keeps a long-term commitment. Hank is a caring connector who enters in to assist in whatever life brings along.”
John Mills
“Hank is a man who has a heart to help others. He is one of those people who will love you for who you are and not what you have done. Hank is a man of genuine hospitality.”
Daniel Ales
“The word which best describes Hank Tate for me would be ‘unconditional.’ He offers unconditional love. He is unconditional with his belongings. He is unconditional with his valuable time. I'm proud to call him my Dad.”
Mohammad
“Hank has such a huge capacity of showing Christ-like love to all whom he encounters. His non-judgmental nature draws you in. Hank lives his life giving love, acceptance, and compassion to all who are lucky enough to have their life cross paths with his.”
Gwendolyn Wright
“Pops, you make my mind explode with the compassionate way you love everyone and make us feel like a million dollars!”
Sarah Painter
Want Hank to speak to your group?
Churches, schools, nonprofits, and companies. One hour that people talk about for months.