I was raised in the church. I was faithfully active in the church. I could quote many verses but was completely lost. I was a rebellious teen raised by a bipolar mom and church-going dad that went to church because that was the right thing to do. My view of Jesus was more like Santa Claus—keeping a list and checking it twice to see who was naughty or nice. Due to problems within my family when I was a junior in high school, I moved in with my grandparents. They have always been faithful in prayer, daily quiet times, and corporate worship. It was the first time in my life that I saw a relationship with Jesus lived out in action, and it gave me a burning desire to have that kind of relationship. It was not until my senior year of high school that I recognized my need for a relationship with the Savior and gave my life to Jesus in November 1997. I firmly believe that if I have not lived with my grandparents, I may not have become a Christian. My time with them radically changed my life. They also prayed faithfully for me throughout ministry and have been my cheerleaders in my walk with Christ. Ever since God redeemed me, it has been my heart’s desire to see kids, students, and adults recognize their need for a life-giving relationship with Jesus.
My freshman year of college, I was asked through my BCM director to help with a high school girls group at a local Disciple Now. That weekend forever changed my life. The church I served at asked me to return and teach their youth on Wednesday nights. After a few months of sharing my testimony and teaching these students, God tugged on my heart to follow Him through vocational ministry and attend seminary. I have never looked backed.
Experience
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2017 –
LifeWay Christian Resources
Contract Writer and Content Editor
• Wrote articles for Parent Life magazine as well as kids’ devotionals for Adventure magazine
• Content editor, Bible Studies for Life children’s curriculum
• Quality control editor, The Gospel Project for Kids video curriculum resources -
2013 – 2017
First Baptist Church, Mt. Juliet, TN
Children’s Ministries Director
• Counseled all children when decisions for Christ are made
• Worked with families to provide training and discipleship resources to help raise spiritually-sound children
• Oversaw Sunday School curriculum, supplies, leadership recruitment and training
• Organized and oversaw the children’s worship hour and AWANA program
• Developed curriculum for Wednesday night missions & music programming for children
• Recruited, trained, and oversaw all children’s ministry volunteers
• Implemented preschool policies and family dedication class prior to celebration services
• Taught chapel and worked closely with church academy (MJCA)
• Coordinated and facilitated Vacation Bible School, children’s camp, and all children’s ministry events -
2007 – 2012
CrossPoint Church, Trussville, AL
Minister of Children and Preschool
• Counseled all children 1st-5th grade when decisions for Christ were made
• Worked with families to raise spiritually-sound children
• Oversaw Sunday School curriculum, supplies, leadership recruitment and training
• Organized and led the children’s worship hour
• Curriculum development for summer Wednesday night programming for children
• Oversaw the children’s missions programming
• Coordinated and facilitated Vacation Bible School, children’s camp, and Fall Festival
• Wrote guidebooks to encourage Scripture reading and memorization
• Addition to job June 1, 2011: Oversaw the preschool ministry staff and families of preschool children
• Assisted the women’s ministry during retreats and events (Gospel presentation, 2011) -
2006 – 2007
First Baptist Church, Katy, TX
Minister to Grade School
• Counseled all children K-5th grade when decisions for Christ were made
• Implemented new Sunday School curriculum and recruited leadership
• Implementation a new Family Worship Service and recruited leadership
• Organized and led the children’s worship hour for K-3rd grade
• Developed and launched a Kids on Mission program
• Coordinated and facilitated Vacation Bible School, children’s camp, and Fall Festival -
2003 – 2006
Trinity Baptist Church, Lake Charles, LA
Mother’s Day Out Director
• Oversaw daily administration of twenty-five teachers and 120 preschoolers
• Led staff devotions and remained available for questions or needs
• Maintained constant communication with parents and workers
• Produced policy manuals and implemented all policies
• Spoke at, planned, and coordinated preschool graduation and other programs -
2001 – 2002
First Baptist Church, Hattiesburg, MS
Children’s Ministry Intern
• Assisted the Children’s Minister with weekly duties and children’s ministry events
Education
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2006
Master of Arts in Christian Education
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary – Ft. Worth, TX
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2002
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
University of Southern Mississippi – Hattiesburg, MS