Faith Story || roots
I grew up in Northern Minnesota in a small town that Garrison Keillor’s Lake Woebegone mirrors well. I was raised in a Baptist church where I accepted Christ several times in childhood. I was taught Bible stories and memorized scripture. The pietistic tradition of clean living and heartfelt devotion to God was ingrained. I was baptized at the age of twelve and began a journey of trusting in Jesus and keeping my own devotional life and activity in youth group. After graduation, I went to Bethel College and moved into ministry in the discipleship program. In my senior year of college, I went through an intense season of doubt. A breakthrough occurred in the spring as I was humbled by my own judgmentalism and found healing. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” came alive to me. After college, I taught English in a small Washington town, where God began to woo me to ministry. I was actively involved in my church and experienced a painful restlessness around being an English teacher. It made me wonder what else I might be called to, and after discernment, I was guided to go to Seminary. Five years of Seminary, some therapy, and training as a spiritual director reconstructed my interior life in ways that I will be eternally grateful for.
I have served churches from mega to medium-sized and seen how beautiful and painful the community of Jesus can be. I love helping churches be effective in their living and sharing of the gospel. I am eager to be part of the renewal work that the Church in America needs in her new season of ministry.
I am blessed to be ordained in both the Evangelical Covenant Church and Converge (formerly known as the Baptist General Conference).