Everyone has a story. Here’s a little of mine.
Born in Patuxent River, Maryland, I am the daughter of a career naval aviator and a nurse. The Navy took our family to Maryland to California and Florida before my dad retired, and then we moved to Memphis, TN. I came to Memphis as a teenage girl kicking and screaming at one more relocation. Little did I know that the Bluff City would be where I would meet my husband, Chris, and live most of my adult life.
Neither Chris nor I had any plans to be in ministry. Before we met, I wanted to be a CEO of a major corporation, and he wanted to play professional golf. But God interrupted our cute plans when we met each other “by chance” at a grocery store one day. Instead, we have had an incredible and eventful journey serving the Lord. I’ll spare you all the details but highlight three things…
In terms of family, I am the mom of two amazing young adults. Eighteen months apart, my son and daughter are as opposite as they come. As young children, they kept me on my knees. I have an amazing relationship with my kids now, but navigating both an outwardly strong-willed child and an internally strong-willed child gave me a huge heart for moms and a lot of gratitude for a husband who always seemed to be able to help me navigate through the different seasons of parenting.
In terms of the church, I have birthed two children and two churches. The children were both planned. The second church was a surprise, but like an unexpected baby, it is a gift. We started and led our first church, Highpoint, for 18 years. We love our Highpoint family. Our second bundle of joy, One City Church, comes after a two and a half year wilderness that took us to Atlanta, Cleveland, and to a place of knowing that our assignment in Memphis was definitely not over.
In terms of business, as I mentioned, my CEO plans didn’t exactly turn out the way I imagined, but I have been able to exercise my business acumen in two fulfilling ways. First, I have the privilege to serve as the Executive Director of Race for Reconciliation, a value-driven initiative to bring healing, honor, and hope to a city and country that desperately need it. Second, Chris and I have also been certified as Dream Manager Life Coaches and love helping people fulfill their personal and professional goals.
And in terms of just plain, ol’ fun, I also love writing, hanging out with my family, chocolate chip cookies, protein bites, and falling asleep watching a movie.
What do I dislike? Cooking, cleaning, and yard work. Just sayin’.
