I received Christ as my Lord and Savior at
the age of 9 and was baptized at 16. Church became a pivotal place in my
life as I faced the trials of living with an alcoholic father. My
parents brought me to Church once and thereafter I was transported every
Sunday by neighbors who went to the same Church. God used those early
years to teach me that He loved me, wouldn’t forsake me, had a plan for
my life and would work all things together for good. And, He did!
In 1974, I believe God called me to
minister within the field of Occupational Therapy specializing in
psychosocial in- and outpatient rehabilitation. My spiritual gifts of
administration, mercy, exhortation, wisdom, discernment and faith were
used as I counseled, taught, managed a psychiatric day hospital unit and
started two new Occupational Therapy academic programs. I watched God
give me opportunities to speak words of counsel that would soften and
turn hearts from a path of destruction to a path of life.
In 1993 my ministry shifted. I prayed for
God to make a way where my Occupational Therapy skills could be used in
the Christian community. God started to answer that prayer when I met a
psychiatrist, at my place of employment, and his wife who managed a
local Christian Retreat Center within the Willimantic Camp Meeting
Association (WCMA). I assisted them in program development. It was
through this couple that I was introduced to my husband Lee (Tom).
Lee (Tom) and I began dating and God used
us almost immediately assisting this couple at their Retreat Center as
well as co-leading teen vacation bible school at the Willimantic Camp
Meeting Association. We married in 1996 at the WCMA Tabernacle. Tom
preached and served as President for two terms. I served as Chairperson
on Program Committee and Sales and Rental Committee. I was also
appointed project coordinator to restore 4 abandoned/neglected
cottages. Over the years, God shifted our ministry at the WCMA from an
administrative to a discipleship role mentoring the younger members of
this community.
In 1997 Tom was called to fill the Pulpit
at a local Baptist Church. As a Pastor’s wife I assisted him in all
aspects of the ministry; weddings, funerals, baptisms, bible study,
etc. Together we would co-counsel individuals, couples and families. We
have been privileged to watch God transform entire families; one member
of the family at a time. I also provided administrative support and
counsel where needed especially with the teenagers. I led ladies
retreats and a bible study.
In 2001 we both were called into Seminary.
We took two courses per year while remaining at our Church. God didn’t
release us from the Church until 2006. At that time we relocated to
Massachusetts and pursued a full time education at Gordon-Conwell
Theological Seminary in the Masters of Divinity Program. I started in
the counseling program but God had been revealing to me that he was
expanding my ministry to include preaching, teaching, administration and
counseling. This call was confirmed in 2005 by multiple ministry
colleagues, parishioners and positive experienced in preaching, teaching
and leading worship. In September 2005 I transferred to the M. Div.
program. I graduate in May 2009.
I have witnessed the promises of Jeremiah
29:11 fulfilled, “For I know the plans I have for you declares the
Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you a hope
and a future.” I thank God every day for His faithfulness to me.
