Bachelor of Arts, Humanities, 2003, Columbia International University

Human Resources, LifeChurch.tv

Edmond, OK

I transferred into Columbia International University with an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies, so my two years in the Humanities Department at CIU were packed with all the good stuff! The combination of studying Scripture along with the study of Humanities was challenging and revelatory. I soaked up every bit of the course work and loved the professors who were passionate about facilitating debate and discussion, experiential learning, study tours, projects, and individual research. The culture of this particular program of study was intimate and intellectual, and discussions most often continued well after leaving the classroom.

I fully believed when I graduated I would go directly to the mission field to implement my educational experience. However I found myself back home in Destin, Fla., with student loans, working in the marketplace. To be completely transparent, I often struggled with feelings that I was wasting time, settling for the comforts of home. Each time those thoughts would discourage me God would provide yet another opportunity for me to speak truth to someone in conflict, to provide for someone in need, and to share His love with someone in pain. Gradually, God got through to me that my mission field existed wherever I was and that everything I did could be ministry. The lesson is a crucial one – God wants to and will use you no matter where you are, as long as you remain available. Looking back, I can see how He gently prodded and guided me to each workplace, and how all of my experience led up to my current role.

In February 2011, my husband Patrick and I moved to Edmond, Okla. to work at LifeChurch.tv, a multi-site church reaching more than 30,000 people each weekend on 14 campuses. Tens of thousands more all over the globe attend Church Online weekly. This incredibly generous organization is making a lasting difference around the world by leading people to become fully devoted followers of Christ. Through life-changing messages and experiences, free resources, and cutting-edge technology, we’re using every tool within our grasp to spread God’s truth and love across the planet. Our senior pastor, Craig Groeschel, often reminds us that to reach people no one is reaching, we have to do things that no one else is doing. My role in Human Resources is not at all what I had in mind when I graduated from Columbia International University. How could I have known that God would present me with the privilege of serving Him through the ministry of LifeChurch.tv? Even though it is not at all what I expected, it is so much more than I could have ever imagined!