Incoming Leaders

My journey as a follower of Christ began in the tender embrace of childhood, where the warm, inviting atmosphere of Sunday school and the vibrant energy of Vacation Bible School (VBS) filled my heart with joy. Those early experiences were like seeds planted in my spirit, but it wasn’t until later in life that I truly encountered the profound depth of God’s presence. As I navigated through the stormy seas of life’s challenges, my once-surface relationship with God was subjected to intense scrutiny. It was during the heart-wrenching ordeal of my mother’s courageous battle with cancer, coupled with the painful isolation of being disowned by my family, that I found myself at a crossroads. Entering marriage and anticipating the arrival of my first child should have been moments of joy, yet I felt a deep-seated abandonment and solitude pressing in around me. In the midst of my despair, I cried out to God with a rawness that laid bare my soul. It was then that I felt the tender whisper of a loving Father seep into my spirit, wrapping me in an unexpected comfort. This gentle call ignited a transformative desire within me to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him. I embarked on a heartfelt journey towards intimacy with the Heavenly Father, and in the process, I fell utterly and completely in love with His boundless grace and unwavering love.

How did the Spirit guide you to your current ministry and what has God called you to do through your ministry?

When I was first approached about getting involved in student ministries, a wave of skepticism washed over me. I questioned my own abilities, wondering if I could truly make an impact. Yet, beneath that uncertainty lay a powerful, almost magnetic pull toward the ministry—a relentless tug that demanded my attention. As I delved deeper into the realm of youth ministry, I found myself reflecting on my own formative years in middle and high school, a time when I felt like an outsider looking in. Just as I began to question this calling, I was suddenly struck by a debilitating wave of vertigo. My surroundings spun wildly, and every step felt like a precarious balancing act; I struggled to remain upright, feeling as though the ground beneath me was shifting. In disbelief, I rushed to the emergency room, only to be met with a barrage of tests and puzzled expressions—nothing seemed to explain this mysterious affliction. It was in that moment of confusion and vulnerability that I turned to God, seeking answers. I realized then that my hesitation to commit was manifesting physically; I was being urged to confront a calling that I had been skirting around. With renewed clarity, I sat down with my husband and poured my heart out, sharing the weight of my thoughts and the spiritual turmoil I was experiencing. I made it clear that I needed his unwavering support to embark on this journey. If he said yes, I would follow suit and accept the call to serve in this ministry. His response was immediate and affirming, a resounding yes that filled me with a profound sense of relief. Astonishingly, in that very instant, the spinning ceased, and the suffocating grip of vertigo lifted away, never to return. It was a powerful affirmation that I was on the right path, guided by faith and support.

How did you come to first be involved with the Free Methodist Church and why have you chosen to continue your ministry in the Free Methodist Church?

I found myself immersed in the quest for a church, driven by a longing for a community that would embrace me wholeheartedly, a place where my family and I could feel truly welcomed. Our past experiences weighed heavily on my heart, making this search all the more crucial. With a heartfelt list of desires in hand, I poured my soul into prayer, yearning to discover the perfect church that would feel like home. Then, out of the blue, I received a call from a dear friend, her voice tinged with urgency, sharing that her marriage had become a volatile battleground and that she desperately needed support. Without hesitation, I set off on a journey to Colorado and back, offering my help as she sought to find her footing once more. During our heartfelt conversations, the topic of finding a church surfaced, and I recalled a vibrant church my mother had taken my children to for Vacation Bible School (VBS). With a glimmer of hope, I suggested we give it a try. That Sunday morning, as we entered the church, we were enveloped by an overwhelming sense of peace. It was as if the Holy Spirit was guiding our hearts. By the next week, I found myself joyfully teaching in the Sunday school room, my family and I filling our lives with the warmth and spirit of this community. My friend has since found her own church in Arizona, but our family has remained steadfast in our commitment to the Free Methodist Church. Motivated by the special circumstances that led us to this church, I felt a powerful tug to contribute to VBS. Decked out as an alien, I danced on stage, and in the commencement of that week, I heard the unmistakable, audible voice of God calling out to me, declaring that I am a pastor. In that sacred moment, I recognized my calling to ministry within the Free Methodist Church. As I delved deeper into the history and beliefs of the denomination, it became clear to me why I felt so connected. The rich tapestry of its culture allows God to use me as His vessel with a profound purpose in today’s world.