Saved! I was saved when I was a young teen at a Salvation Army evangelistic meeting. When the invitation was given, I went forward and a worker took me into a room where he explained the plan of salvation using “The Bridge” illustration. It was at that time when I realized that there no peace, no hope, and no life apart from the saving grace from Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and began to live for Him by regularly attending church and Sunday school.

2005-Service at First Christian Church, Sarasota First, I began to sing with the praise team, which then led to playing bass in the praise team. I then started to teach youth Sunday, in which ended after going for a graduate degree in education. Other options to serve began to open such as choir director and board member. When a certain new couple began attending the church, it was discovered that the wife played piano and was interested to directing a choir. It was also recommended by the director of music at the time. My reaction was mixed and I sought out the Lord and began to pray about what could be next since this ministry was being “taken away.” Pastor Steve Stogner and I talked about it and concluded that while this door might be shutting, the reason for this may be that there is another “door already open.” Pastor Stogner mentioned something about the education ministry and asked if I would consider becoming the director of education. I answered on the spot that I “felt” leading me in this direction.

Soon after that discussion, the board chairperson called and asked me officially. It was then I realized that the call that God had made on my life was beginning to materialize once again. I entered into the process of becoming a commissioned minister very prayerfully but was confident that this was, indeed, the time to begin service to Him in this capacity. Only the Lord knows where this process may lead and what He has in store for me in the future.