What does your job involve?
My job is to disciple and reach out to girls in grades 6-8. Through this role, I have the privilege of getting to mentor and encourage girls in their walk with Christ, teach them about the love of Christ, and support our amazing female leaders in our student ministry that are also discipling girls. It is my heart’s desire that middle school girls would come to know and have an all-satisfying relationship with Jesus that overflows into every aspect of their lives and how they live.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Orlando and have lived the majority of my life here.
How large is the family you grew up in?
Besides my parents, I’m the oldest of five children. I have three sisters and one brother.
When did you come to know Christ?
My parents are very strong believers, so I grew up being taught about Christ and His love for me since I can remember. I made my own decision to follow Christ when I was five and was baptized later that same year.
What was the first job you ever had?
I was a barista at House Blend Café.
Where did you go to college?
I attended Southeastern University for two years where I studied Business Management. I then transferred to the University of Central Florida where I received my degree in Event Management with a minor in Hospitality Management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
How did you get into ministry?
In middle school, I knew that God was calling me into ministry, but didn’t know what that would look like. When I was in high school, I was very involved in leadership in my youth group at First Baptist Church of Winter Garden through planning the student-led outreach nights for our youth group, leading worship on Wednesday nights, and facilitating a small group. I also volunteered at Vacation Bible School and the Children’s Ministry all through high school. The summer before my senior year of high school, I went on a summer mission trip to Ireland where I interned with Foundation in Christ Ministries. It was through that mission trip and working in my youth group that I realized that my passion was seeing youth become on-fire for Christ.
Have you ever done any long- or short-term missionary trips in the U.S. or overseas?
Right before my senior year in high school, I interned with Foundation in Christ Ministries over in Galway, Ireland for a summer. I worked at An Tobar Nua, a coffee shop/cafe that exists to provide a positive atmosphere especially for the youth of Ireland to come eat and hang-out. The staff is able to develop friendships with the youth that come in, which paves the way for them to share the Gospel. This was an awesome experience for me and really taught me to have a selfless focus instead of a self-centered focus.
Where else have you served?
While I was attending Southeastern University, I served as the Assistant Youth Director at Restoration Family Church which is a small inner-city church in Lakeland, Florida.
What is the turning point of your life?
There are three that stand out in my mind. The first was when I gave my life to Christ when I was five. The second came in middle school when I realized that God was calling me into ministry. I began to understand what it meant to follow Jesus and trust that He determines our steps because I had no idea what He was calling me to do yet. The third was when I was working over in Ireland and I realized that God was calling me to work with youth.
What do you like most about your job?
I love spending time with my girls! My favorite part of my job is seeing the girls have the “light bulb moment” when they realize that Christ is all-satisfying and they make their relationship with Him and faith in Him their own. When I see girls desire to know God and make Him known, I get really excited because they begin to make an impact for His Kingdom in their homes, schools, and friendships.
What is your most memorable moment in ministry?
When I was working at Restoration Family Church, one of my students came from a horrible home life where he did not know who his dad was and his mom was constantly saying negative things to him that made him feel of no value at all. He came to church all on his own and was searching for truth and he found it! It was awesome to be able to just open up the Bible and show him that in God’s eyes he was worth dying for! It was a blessing to be able to see a student who seemed so defeated become so victorious in Christ.
What’s your favorite Bible verse?
I have so many, but I’ll share a few. The verse I claim as my life verse is Galatians 1:10, “Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ!” The verse that has become my goal in ministry is Colossians 1:28, “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” The verse that is a great encouragement to me is Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
What do you like to do with your free time?
I love drinking coffee, watching Gator football, listening to music, hanging out with friends, being outdoors, and coaching basketball.
If you weren’t in ministry, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be an event manager for a catering company.