 Family: Bill and Melodie are my parents. I have two brothers who are each married
with a daughter: Garrett, Heidi and Maddy; and Greg, Mary and Keira.
Education: I graduated from Northwestern College majoring in Bible and
Communication with an Intercultural Studies minor. More recently, I graduated
from Providence Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Christian
Studies.
Equipped for Service: I am equipped for service because I have a relationship
with Jesus, a love of his Word and a love for people. When I accepted
Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I received the Holy Spirit and spiritual
gifts like exhortation and teaching to build up the Body of Christ. He
also wired me to naturally be analytical and good with administration,
so the planning and coordinating aspects of Women's Ministries are
right up my alley too.
I have a deep passion to be involved in and encourage the Body of Christ
to be what God has called it to be. God has given me a heart to listen
to and love people deeply, walking with them through joys and pains.
I love people for who they are while also seeing what they could be.
God has given me a love for knowing and living truth and helping others
to do the same.
Someone once said that people often minister best where their areas of
deepest hurts have been. God met me in all of those deep hurts and showed
himself as the Faithful and True One. He changed a heart that was disillusioned
by the lack of authenticity in many believers into a heart that loves
the Church and sees the amazing beauty in God's design. From years
of God loving and remaining faithful to me, I am equipped with his love
to love him and point people toward him through Women's Ministries.
Prepared for Service: God has constantly put me in situations and leadership
positions that stretch me, cultivate the gifts he has given me, and make
me depend on him. I have a unique privilege in that I grew up serving
and volunteering in this church and now I am serving in it vocationally,
so I have seen church life from several angles. Having grown up here,
I have an understanding of the culture and people with a longer-term
perspective.
Having been away at college and seminary, I can more clearly see the
opportunities for growth and share the excitement of the new church vision.
There have always been leaders at this church who helped me develop as
a disciple of Jesus by giving me opportunities to grow and lead, seeing
beyond my age to God's call on my life. I have learned and grown
so much from opportunities like the following: being on leadership teams
in this church since seventh grade, discipling students at Bible camp
for four summers, being a Resident Assistant in college, working at a
moving company, doing missions for 3 1/2 months in South America,
being a chapel coordinator in seminary, and being an intern here at New
Hope. God has used all parts of my life to prepare me for this current
ministry.
I have a heart for teaching the Word, discipleship, building real community
and seeing the Body of Christ in action. God funneled me into vocational
ministry, but it has been a gradual process to discover the context in
which the Lord wanted me to use my passions and gifts. I wondered what
would best use my gifts and allow me to pour into people's lives.
I got to focus my internship this summer on Women's Ministries,
Young Adult Ministry and Single's Ministry, and I loved it! My favorite
part was working with the Women's Bible studies.
 Appreciation for NHC: I love the people at New Hope. I grew up here,
so I appreciate the opportunity to serve people who poured into my life
for so many years and helped shape my personal walk and my ministry philosophy.
This church has always been known for being rooted in the Bible and not
shying away from hard truth. I love the truth. I also appreciate the
intentional shift to become a church that reflects heaven better with
people from different nations and languages.
Free Time: I enjoy one-on-ones and small group time with friends and
family, especially while drinking a Caribou Caramel Cooler or Diet Coke
with grenadine. I enjoy playing ultimate Frisbee, basketball and football.
I like almost all games including Rook, Catch Phrase, 500 and Boggle.
I like to watch decorating shows. I love to be in the sunshine doing
varied activities like singing and playing guitar, biking, hiking or
reading.
Scripture: My life passage is Philippians 2:1-16. Even from a young age,
God impressed upon my heart that I am to follow Jesus' example of
a humble servant and live from what he has done for me. I particularly
love the books of Philippians, Luke, Colossians, 1 Corinthians, Hosea
and Psalms (especially 86).
Recommended Resources: "How to Read the Bible for all it's
Worth," by Fee and Stuart. "Disciplines for a Godly Life," by
Whitney. "Knowing God," by Packer.
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