Growing up near Dayton, Ohio, in the heart of a pastor’s family, my life was seemingly steeped in Christianity. Yet, beneath the surface of outward piety, a different story unfolded. Pride and vanity were my constant companions. I was always measuring myself against others, craving the fleeting validation of attention. My faith, ironically, became a tool for self-aggrandizement, a means to position myself favorably in the eyes of others. I reveled in reciting Bible verses and flaunting my biblical knowledge, a performance masking a deeper spiritual void. This façade crumbled during a Sunday church service when my mother bravely stepped forward to share her testimony. She recounted a life lived within the Christian sphere, fluent in its language and customs. However, the profound truth of the gospel had remained external, uninternalized. For forty years, as a professing Christian and pastor’s wife for over fifteen, she had missed the crucial realization of her own need for Jesus as Savior. That pivotal moment of understanding, of genuine salvation, had only recently dawned on her. Her public confession resonated through the church, declaring that she had, in fact, been living without Christ and had only been powerfully saved months prior. The revelation struck me to my core. If my mother, so seemingly devout, had been living without true faith, what about me? This became my moment of truth, a stark recognition of my own sinfulness and desperate need for Jesus as my Savior. In that moment of profound clarity, I confessed my sins, repented of my pride, and turned to Christ alone for salvation.
This transformative salvation experience charted a new course for my life, leading me westward with my family as my father accepted a teaching position at The Master’s University. For me, TMU was the obvious next step, a natural progression as God nurtured a desire within me to serve in ministry. I pursued Biblical Studies, specializing in biblical counseling and languages. My hunger was to deeply know God, to understand His Word, and to learn how to guide others towards transformative change through it. The Master’s University, with its unwavering commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture, was the ideal environment to embark on this journey. Following my time at TMU, I sought further preparation at The Master’s Seminary, where I received even more comprehensive training to become a faithful shepherd of God’s word.
After a year serving as a youth pastor in Bakersfield post-graduation, my path took an unexpected turn. I was confronted with a chronic health condition that persisted for four years. In His sovereignty, God used this challenging season to draw me closer to Himself, to purge deeply ingrained selfish desires, and ultimately, to lead me back to the university. Upon regaining my health, I returned to TMU, this time as an admissions counselor. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to serve at this juncture and desire to remain faithful to Him and His kingdom in whatever capacity He directs. My aspiration remains to return to full-time ministry should the Lord open that door in the future.
Beyond my professional life, I find joy in studying God’s Word, cherishing time with family, the art of coffee making, road biking adventures, invigorating hikes, the excitement of college football, and the thrill of roller coasters.
To connect with me, please reach out to the M.A. in Biblical Counseling program or the D.Min. in Biblical Counseling program via email. For phone calls or campus visits, you can easily schedule an appointment with me using the link below.
