God’s blessing and grace have been evident in my life since my earliest
days. I was born into a family with parents who loved God and shared a
desire to raise their children in the fear and knowledge of God. My
sisters and I grew up in an environment where we were daily taught about
Jesus Christ and His work of redemption on the cross, and my childhood
days hold sweet memories of learning what it means to love and obey
Him. God worked in my heart and opened my eyes to see my need for a
Savior at a young age, and I placed my faith in Christ when I was around
seven years old.
My life since that time has never been the same as God has used His
Word, experiences, and people to further His sanctifying work in me and
make me who I am today. My teen and young adult years in particular
have been spiritually rich as God has shaped me through the trials of
life. Psalm 119:71 says, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I
might learn your statutes." Learning to fully trust God's goodness,
love, and wisdom have been hallmarks of spiritual growth and depth for
me as God has continually brought me to the end of myself in order to
strengthen my faith and open my eyes to see Him for who He truly is. It
has been through heartache and sorrow that God has given me what I have
needed the most: a deeper understanding of His faithfulness and an
unshaken confidence in His promises. I praise God for this work and
thank Him for giving me above and beyond what I could ever ask or think.
My
friends and pastors from Second Reformed Presbyterian Church have also
held a significant role in my spiritual growth as they’ve challenged me
in Bible study, offered opportunities for ministry within the church and
surrounding community, encouraged my interests and pursuits, and most
importantly, called me to live a Christ-filled, Gospel-focused life.
It has been a great privilege for me to be part of the staff at Second Reformed Presbyterian Church the last ten years and see first-hand how
God is building His church. I look forward to continue serving there
as long as God allows.
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