I was raised in a Christian home and attended church regularly. My mother has told me that when I was an infant our pastor, Pastor Steck, was the first person outside of family to hold me.  When I made the decision to ask Jesus into my heart at age 8 I vividly remember being so nervous to stand in front of my church that I had tears streaming down my face as I stood with Pastor Steck’s arm around my shoulders. This thought makes me laugh a little now because I was later involved in children’s choir and would perform drama and sing solos in front of this same church body. 

Serving others has been modeled for me for as long as I can remember. Both of my grandfathers were faithful servants in their churches and my grandmothers were devoted Sunday school teachers in their preschool and children’s departments. My parents were involved in each of the churches we attended during my childhood. My father served our country in the Air Force, moving our family with him as he served. He also served as a deacon from the time I was very young and is still actively serving his current church home. When I was in elementary school, my mother served in a volunteer role as Preschool Director on Sunday mornings, under the leadership of our Minister of Education. She was also a teacher, childcare center director and director of the Head Start program in our school district for many years. My love of preschoolers and education comes from her.  

I have volunteered in Preschool and Children’s Sunday school as well as church summer programming as a college intern. However, it was not until Nanette Johnson approached me almost twelve years ago that I had considered working in preschool ministry as a full-time job. Over my time working with preschoolers and young families, under the guidance and devotion of Mrs. Nanette, I have realized that a call to ministry looks different for different people. My calling into ministry was a seed planted years ago by my parents and has been tended by others that have poured into me over the years.  

My prayer is that I am able to tend to your preschoolers, water seeds that you have planted, and watch them grow!