On busy school mornings, while most people are packing lunches, checking calendars, or rushing to start their day, Tammy Hotsenpiller is already walking.
What began as a personal practice of prayer has become a meaningful presence in her community—one that children eagerly anticipate, and families deeply appreciate.
Tammy and her husband, Phil, serve as the pastors of Influence Church in Anaheim Hills.
Their commitment to children shapes their ministry and family life.
They’ve embraced a blended approach that combines homeschooling with traditional classroom learning, creating a partnership in which parents and educators work together to help students thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.
The story behind J-Walkers began with consistency.
Long before the name existed, Tammy was spending time in prayer near neighborhoods and schools, intentionally investing in the well-being of the communities around her.
“Honestly, it started really simple. I was walking and praying because I needed time with God. Life gets noisy, and those mornings became sacred to me. I would walk through neighborhoods and around schools just talking to Jesus about families, kids, people hurting, and honestly, about my own heart too. I didn’t have some grand plan. I just knew I wanted to stay close to God and listen for His voice.”
As the walks became part of her routine, Tammy became a familiar face to local students. Then came an unforeseen nickname that would change everything.
“It makes me laugh because it was so unexpected. A group of kids jokingly called me a ‘jaywalker’ because they saw me cross the street ‘illegally’ on one of my prayer walks,” she recalls.
“I went and joked with them, and then kept seeing them every day, and they would yell, ‘Hey, J-Walker.’ I remember not thinking much about it until one day, the Holy Spirit told me-Tammy, you are a J-Walker, a Jesus walker, walk for these kids. It was like a mandate from Heaven. And it was there that J-Walkers was born. Someone who simply walks with Jesus every day.”
J-Walkers grew naturally from the relationships Tammy was building along her morning route.
As students got to know her, those greetings turned into longer conversations about school, family, faith, and life’s daily challenges.
Tammy found that what many children wanted most was simply to be heard.
“I think they need someone to slow down long enough to really see them. Kids are hungry for real conversations. Not to fix them or lecture them—just listen to them and what they’re going through,” Tammy explains.
“So many kids feel invisible or unheard. Sometimes, a donut, a smile, and a simple conversation can open the door for a child to finally feel safe. We had a girl come to a Jesus club at one of our local clubs, just because there was free pizza. She gave her life to Jesus and now serves in our ministry.
Many of the most meaningful conversations happen in passing—moments that have become opportunities for students to share what is really on their minds.
One experience remains especially meaningful to Tammy and continues to affirm the importance of being present.
“I remember one morning passing the school quietly, praying over the students. One little girl asked if she could walk with me. ‘J-walker,’ she asked, ‘would you still love me if I did something really bad?’ Immediately, I responded that my love was not based on what we do, right or wrong, that my love was authentic and genuine. She began to share a difficult story with me. I knew then that I was in the right place at the right time. Often, the students will approach me and ask if I would walk with them.”
Experiences like this have reinforced the value of creating spaces where children feel accepted and secure.
Instead of emphasizing performance, J-Walkers focuses on belonging.
For many students, that distinction has made all the difference.
“Love opens doors that pressure never will,” says Tammy.
“Kids don’t want another person talking at them. They want a relationship. Jesus met people with compassion first, and that’s always been important to me. I want kids to know they’re valued before anything else. I also think that in this generation, these kids don’t have many people looking them in the eye. Everyone is glued to a phone, so this gives them a genuine connection.”
The excitement children show when they see Tammy speaks volumes about the relationships she’s formed over time.
They now run up to share news, ask questions, and tell Tammy about what's happening in their lives.
“It fills my heart every single time. There’s something so beautiful about seeing kids run up smiling, wanting a hug, wanting to talk, wanting to share their lives, yelling ‘J-walker’ across Starbucks when they see me. It reminds me that connection matters more than we realize, and a simple walk can deeply impact students’ lives.”
The influence of J-Walkers now stretches well beyond morning walks.
The message has expanded through community involvement, ministry opportunities, and storytelling.
The J-Walker was recently adapted into a children’s comic book with Tammy, giving families another way to introduce young readers to themes of faith, kindness, courage, and purpose.
The book reflects the same spirit that first inspired those early walks: meeting children where they are and helping them understand their worth.
Tammy’s example offers an encouraging reminder for parents that meaningful influence is often built through ordinary moments repeated faithfully over time.
Consistency, availability, and sincerity can shape a child’s confidence in lasting ways.
Whether through a conversation around the dinner table, a walk through the neighborhood, or a few uninterrupted minutes at the end of the day, connection remains one of the greatest gifts adults can offer.
When asked what message she hopes every child carries with them, her answer reflects the heart of the entire mission.
“You are seen. You are loved. You matter. And your life has purpose. I want every child to know they are never alone and that God has an incredible plan for their life.”
As J-Walkers continues to grow, its foundation remains unchanged.
One person walks. One child feels noticed. One conversation creates trust. Then another follows.
Students regularly call out "J-walker" when they see her around town.
They wave from across parking lots, share life updates, and remember the conversations they once had on their way to school.
Those moments tell the story of J-Walkers better than any statistic ever could.
What began as a personal time of prayer has evolved into a lasting connection with a generation of young people who know they always have someone in their corner.
Visit https://jwalkers.org/ to learn more about this incredible organization.
“Kids are hungry for real conversations. Not to fix or lecture them, just listen to what they’re going through.”
“It was there that J-Walkers was born. Someone who simply walks with Jesus every day.”