About Me
Salvation
I grew up in church and remember vaguely saying a prayer when I was 4 that I was told meant I was saved. I was baptized at 8 years old, but lived with doubts about my salvation. After a time wandering, I returned to God at 22 years old and asked God to forgive me of my sins, that I believed that Jesus was His Son, died and rose again all to pay the sin debt I owed. Now sure of my salvation, I realized that I needed to be baptized AFTER my salvation after hearing a message by Jamey Ragle and so, was later “re” baptized.Early Years
Although I surrendered to be a missionary if God wanted me at age 8, I spend most of my teen years out of church, far from God. I attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and while there got back in church (Peoples Baptist Church), got assurance of my salvation, and heard again the call of God on my life. But by that time I felt I had wandered too far for God to really want to use me. I graduated from JMU in 1993 with degrees in international business and Spanish and began working with Rocco, Inc., a local poultry company. The Lord led me to Raleigh, North Carolina to be with family, a new job in an export trading company, and a new church family at Mid-Way Baptist Church with Pastor Larry Upchurch. There during a missions conference with Dr. Jack Baskin, I realized that God's call doesn't depend on us, it is in spite of who we are and I surrendered to be God's call to be a missionary.Atlantic Baptist Bible College, Chester, Virginia
In August, 1996, I followed God's leading to attend Atlantic and moved to the Richmond, Virginia area. Atlantic offered me the chance to study education and missions while working full-time at a Japanese steamship line. There I also had the opportunity to attend Heritage Baptist Church and serve in their children's ministry, Master Club, music ministry and camps under the leadership of Pastor Ray Jackson.Internship
Pastor Wayne Guinn offered me the opportunity to intern at Bethany Baptist Church in Melbourne, Florida. I taught sixth grade at Brevard Christian School while learning the ropes of ministry at Bethany. I was involved in the bus ministry as a bus captain, taught the first grade Sunday school class, sang in the choir and special groups, participated in dramas, worked in Vacation Bible Schools, visitation, ladies ministry and retreats, and church activities. Summers we spent painting, cleaning and renovating the campus, including the extreme make-over of the BCS pre-school building. It was an incredible learning experience with the Guinns, their talented staff, and sweet church.
Call
From the time I was young, I have loved missions, missionaries and foreign cultures. I know God has called me to be a missionary, to work with those who plant churches in developing and training for children's ministry, ladies ministry, and assisting with legal, financial and governmental regulations. While at Atlantic, I began to pray for God's leading in where to serve. Two months after praying, I confirmed God's call was for Nicaragua – a country that has experienced so much trauma and so little hope. Partnering with Brian and Rachael Weed in the Flagship Project, I consider it a privilege to share with the Nicaraguan people–Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.
What is it I do?
I manage the financial and legal side of our non-profit association which is the umbrella for our churches. I work with our accountant and lawyers to keep us following government regulations and looking for tax breaks and exemptions where ever we can find them. With buying property this year and constructing the 3 story educational building in Managua, we have been busy. As the Managua church has become more independent, our focus has switched to other churches. I work in Leon with the children's ministry, preparing teachers and curriculum, getting this part of the work ready to hand over to our new pastor and his wife in July. In Masaya, I direct the children's ministry, train teachers, lead the ladies ministry, help with the youth and teach English as a second language. We are also preparing to begin our seminary in August where I will teach and help administrate. This year we will be beginning the process of opening a medical clinic in La Esmeralda (the coffee plantation) and a technical school in Pueblo Nuevo – all of which requires government approval and paperwork.
