Life Story

The first 14 years of my life took place on the shores of Lake Michigan. I grew up in a home with two loving parents and three super fun sisters, and it’s hard to remember a Sunday we weren’t at church. Despite my consistent attendance, however, the life-giving truth that Jesus’ finished work on the cross alone made me good enough wasn’t something I received. At the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, I found myself at the bottom of a pit and knew there was no way I could climb out of in my own strength. I began struggling with an eating disorder, and I finally saw enough of the depth of my sin to recognize my need for a Savior. 

My family started attending a new church, one that preached the gospel each week, worshiped in spirit and truth, and was filled with men and women who encouraged me to turn back to God and His Word. The Lord revealed to me who He was and the grace He offered through Christ. I couldn’t not accept it! I clung to His word, His grace, and His promises as He nursed my fragile self back to health.

After graduating high school, I attended Michigan State University. There, I came face-to-face with people who didn’t know Jesus or were turned off from Him by their past experiences. I had never seen darkness and hopelessness like I did in the college students who pursued so many futile things to fulfill them. Additionally, as an education major, I started teaching little kids practical skills they needed for this world, but I quickly realized that the one thing they truly needed to know was the gospel. Seeing this darkness in contrast to the light of our Savior lit a fire in me to want to devote my time, emotions, energy, and gifts to making Him known.

Hope for The Village Church

My hope for The Village is that we would always take the posture of humility and awe before the Lord. I pray that we would be a people marked by such love for one another and those around us that the community would be compelled to come in our doors and hear the good news of the gospel!