How did I get Here?

I would have never thought in a thousand years that I would be working at a church! I grew up in a Christian home and went to a great church called Calvary Chapel, Fort Lauderdale. However, I never felt the need to go into the ministry. I wanted to be successful, make lots of money, and live the American dream.


I was a total nerd in High School. I was in a Law Magnet program with plans of becoming a Civil Lawyer; I was in the Honors Program, President of Student Government, and on the Debate Team -- such a loser. I was going to go to a big university and I thought that anyone who went to a Christian College wasn't thinking clearly -- their credits would never transfer, they cost way too much, and you don't even get a good education.


However, my senior year in High School I really felt that God was calling me to go to a Christian College.....I fought the idea tooth and nail, but after a lot of praying I finally applied to Florida Christian College. FCC was a total culture shock to me. I grew up in a large city and attended a large church. There were cows across the street and my youth group was larger than the whole school combined. However, it was at FCC that I discovered who I really was and what God's plan was for my life. It was hard for me to let to go, but I finally realized that I need to stop controlling my life and follow God through this journey called Life.


The summer of my freshmen and sophomore year I was a part of New Life. New Life was the Public Relations traveling team for Florida Christian College. We traveled across the country being camp counselors and doing a drama program at various church camps, helping with VBS, and speaking at churches. It was a great experience and I loved it! At the end of my second year of traveling, my boss and the Director of Admissions, Terry Davis announced that he was moving to Jacksonville to be the Youth Minister at Mandarin Christian Church, and he wanted me to intern at the church the following summer. I thought it would be a fun experience and accepted the position to be the summer Children's Ministry Intern.

I fell in love with Children's Ministry! I've always loved working with children, being involved in drama, and having any excuse to act crazy. As I look back at my life I really feel like God was showing me enough light for the next step.

At the end of my summer internship, Christ Church offered me the position as Elementary Director at our new Fleming Island Satellite Campus. I accepted and for a year and a half I drove back and forth between Orlando (because I was still in college) and Jacksonville. After I graduated college, I was promoted to Family Ministry Program Director back at the Mandarin Campus. And that's what I do now!

Wow this is a really long blog.