MISsiON TEAM
Kathy Gaulton
Founder & CEO
Kathy was born and raised in Southern California. She attended Cal State Fullerton spent a semester at sea through World Campus Afloat. Kathy met her husband Gary on the ship that semester and was married the following year. She found her passion of retail merchandising and built a career in that field.
A life changing process began in 1996 after serving on a short-term team in Tanzania. God opened her eyes to the poverty and oppression millions of people live in every day. Kathy felt God calling her to use her gifts and abilities to help the poor. This vision was based on how people need a sustainable livelihood in order to be able to know the hope and love of Jesus Christ.
Kathy founded Heavenly Treasures in the garage of the Gaulton home in 1998 while she was still working full time. Partnerships with Free Methodist World Missions in Asia, Empowering Lives International and other organizations started. She coined the phrase “every product represents a changed life!”
In early 2001, Kathy left Corporate America to serve as a full-time “career” missionary. Her daughter Christina joined Heavenly Treasures after graduating from Cal State Fullerton, and helped establish the retail operations.
Kathy's vision for a Livelihood Project ministry has matured and developed since 1996. It now includes 2,000+ artisans, including 50 projects in 20 countries. Heavenly Treasures is also member of the Fair Trade Federation. One of the key values of Heavenly Treasures is that all proceeds from the sale of the products are reinvested into the projects providing hope, employment and healthy families. It is so exciting to hear the stories of how lives and entire communities are being changed. Heavenly Treasures is committed helping people economically and spiritually. God has worked in a mighty way as He guides and directs Kathy and Heavenly Treasures daily. The organization is growing and lives are being changed!
Email Contact: kathyg@heavenlytreasures.org
Christina GRUENBERG
Chief Operating Officer, Heavenly Treasures and Chief Executive Officer, Heavenly Treasures Kenya
Christina graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2003 and received her Master’s in Leadership and Organizational Studies at Azusa Pacific University in 2016. After 4 months of serving in Kenya in 2000, her heart was broken for the people of the world. She was amazed at how a livelihood project could change a person’s life & help them have hope for their families. In 2003 Christina joined Heavenly Treasures & is an important leader as she works to build the organization and create vision for the ministry along with Kathy. Her key responsibilities at Heavenly Treasures are overseeing all operations & staff, purchasing all the products from our 50+ projects around the world, visiting the artisans, & developing relationships as they work together to help alleviate poverty. She is also the CEO of Heavenly Treasures Kenya. Christina and her husband, Dan, were married in December 2016.
Email Contact: christina@heavenlytreasures.org
Kigen Teimuge
Director of Operations, Heavenly Treasures Kenya
Gideon Kigen Teimuge is the Director of Operations, and has been leading the development of staff and mission in Kenya since May, 2007. Kigen graduated from Azusa Pacific University in California with a BA in Political Science and International Business. He also attained a Masters in Organizational Development from United States International University in Kenya. Throughout the four years Kigen attended APU he interned with Heavenly Treasures in Glendora, CA. He learned about retail, micro enterprise development, business skills, budgeting and program development. Kigen worked with HT in Kenya for three summer terms. His heart is to work with our HTK mission team and the 500 artisans we serve in Kenya. Kigen and his wife, Catherine, were married in December 2017.
Email Contact: kigen@heavenlytreasures.org
Caroline Sakanashi
Director of Retail Merchandising
Caroline joined the Heavenly Treasures staff in January 2009. She graduated from Cal State University Fullerton in 2000 with a B.A. in Sociology. Caroline has over 10 years of retail and wholesale merchandising experience as well as 5 years of full time church ministry experience. Caroline has had a deep desire to have a career where she could combine her heart for people, her passion for ministry & leadership development as well as her experience in merchandising. She came to work part time for Heavenly Treasures in 2008, where her heart & passion for this ministry developed. Caroline started as the Retail Manager and in July 2010, she became the Manager of Communications & Church events. In April 2014, Caroline became the Director of Retail Merchandising. Caroline is Married to Philip, an ordained Pastor and they have two school aged children.
Email Contact: caroline@heavenlytreasures.org
Christine GROSS
Administrative Manager
Christine graduated from Azusa Pacific University in May of 2008 with a B.A. in Business Administration. After working for Heavenly Treasures for 2 years as an intern & store assistant manager, Christine was asked to come on full time staff. Her desire to serve in the arena of business could not be overcome by her longing to serve the Lord in ministry. Through her job at Heavenly Treasures she is able to see her heart for the Lord, the people of the world & business come to a compromise. Christine is a great asset to the ministry and God has brought her, along with her gifts & abilities, & sharp thinking mind to us. She has worked under retail and is now working as the Financial Administrator. Christine is married to Michael Gross.
Email Contact: cgross@heavenlytreasures.org
