I was raised in Boynton Beach, Florida, in a loving Christian home, and I often joke that from the very beginning, I was destined to be part of the family—even if my older brother wasn’t so sure when I first came home from the hospital. Church was a constant in my life growing up, and I was there whenever the doors were open.

When I was seven years old, during a revival service, I clearly heard the message of the gospel—that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23). I came to understand that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for my sins, and rose again so that I could be forgiven. That truth stayed with me, and after talking with my mom, I responded to God’s call, placed my faith in Christ, and trusted in Him for salvation (Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8–9). I was baptized shortly after Easter Sunday, and that decision has shaped my life ever since.

As I grew, I stayed actively involved in church life, serving in ministries like bus ministry, youth activities, and a traveling youth choir. There was a specific time on a youth retreat to Ridgecrest, a Baptist retreat center in North Carolina, where I feel like God opened my eyes and I truly understood the depth of my sin and the true gift of salvation. Those years were incredibly formative, and through faithful teaching, discipleship, and time in God’s Word, the Lord deepened my understanding of the gospel and strengthened my walk with Him.

When I was 13 years old, I met the man who would later become my husband. He was the music pastor’s nephew from North Carolina and had joined the youth choir and church. When I was 15, I began to like him, though he was five years older than me, which my parents were not too excited about at the time. He patiently waited, and when I was 18, we were married. Over 40 years later, God has faithfully sustained our marriage through both joyful and challenging seasons, reminding us that marriage is a covenant not to be taken lightly.

We have three children: Jessica and her husband David, Jamie and her husband Thadd, and Jared and his wife Skyler. Each of them is walking with the Lord, and it is a great joy to watch our family continue to grow in faith. We are also blessed with seven grandchildren and love seeing the next generation being raised to know and follow Christ.

I was grateful to spend several years as a stay-at-home mom before returning to work in banking part-time while my daughters were young. I later transitioned into the dental field, where I worked in a dental office for 16 years before moving to a dental laboratory. I currently serve in accounts receivable and as Director of First Impressions, and I also continue to manage the books for the business my husband has operated for nearly 40 years.

Serving in the church has always been a central part of my life, whether leading children’s choirs, teaching preschool, or investing in the lives of young people and their families. I am deeply grateful for the godly influence of my parents and church leaders, and for the ways the Lord has faithfully guided me throughout my life. It is an honor to serve on the board of Gospel City Church, and I trust that He will continue to equip me as I support the work He is doing through this church.