Leadership Team

Originally believing I wanted to be a youth minister, in seminary, I discovered my call was not to youth ministry, but to pastoral ministry as I found my passion was for preaching and planning/leading worship. I joined the Church of the Brethren in February 2013 and then graduated from Bethany Theological Seminary in May 2013 with my master’s degree. I received my bachelor’s degree, majoring in Christian Ministry, in 2008, from Anderson University (Anderson, IN). It was at AU where I first learned about the Church of the Brethren and its peace witness, which is what ultimately led me to attending Bethany and joining the Church of the Brethren. Between graduating from seminary and becoming a pastor, I worked in food service, substitute teaching, and customer service. During my time at Live Oak, my love and passion for pastoral ministry has only grown and deepened, enjoying time spent with our older members, listening to their stories and memories, learning from their wisdom and experience, as well as the variety of things pastors do. I also serve on our district’s policy board and ministry commission.

My vision for the church is for it be the church, to actually follow and live out the teachings of Jesus and continue his work to establish God’s kindom on earth, to be a community of love and compassion, a community that is inclusive, expansive, welcoming open, and affirming. To be a people that stands and speaks against the forces of evil, empire, injustice, and oppression. To be a church that brings good news to the poor, release to the captives, sight to the blind, and liberation to the oppressed. To be a people that work for justice, practice kindness, and are humble. To be a community that loosens the bonds of injustice, that feeds the hungry and provides shelter for the homeless and provide for all in need what they need. My vision for the church is that as much as it is a house of worship and fellowship, it would be just as much a shelter and refuge for people in need of a safe place. My vision is that people who walk through our doors would feel free to be their whole selves and never have to hide any part of who they are. My vision is that people would know that here, in this place, they are accepted and affirmed and never have to fear being rejected and excluded. My hope is that we all would work together to make such a vision a reality.