Reflecting on 16 months of ministry, connection, and Christ-centered growth
I began my journey with the Foundation as Director of Development on April 1, 2024. From day one, I was filled with excitement and anticipation for the road ahead. Little did I know that, in just 16 months, I would have the incredible privilege, honor, and joy of visiting nearly 150 churches and agencies and meeting with hundreds of clergy, staff, and lay leaders across Central and Southwest Florida.
At the Foundation, our focus is not on the past, but on how we can walk alongside our Christian ministry partners to support and empower their growth for the future. And I see that same forward-looking spirit in our churches. It’s been inspiring to hear about so many visions, strategic plans, and creative ideas for building up the Kingdom – one church and one community at a time.
Before joining the Foundation, I was blessed to serve at First Presbyterian Church of Lakeland, where I managed the congregation’s business affairs since 2009. That season gave me deep insight and a renewed perspective on what it means to be a healthy church. I believe a healthy church is one that remains laser-focused on its mission and is so deeply rooted in its community that, if it were ever gone, its absence would be profoundly felt.
While Sunday metrics will always have their place, I believe one of the most vital measures of a church’s health is how many lives it’s impacting during the other six days of the week. I’ve also come to see that healthy churches don’t try to do it all on their own – they actively partner with others in the community. No single church can do everything. Only Christ can. But together, we can do so much more. Christ-centered collaboration is key.
From my perspective, local church operations and finance ministries are the “glue ministries” of the church. You may not always be seen, but you’re holding everything together so that all the other ministries can shine. And it’s not just about the numbers – it’s about the people and the processes that support them. It has truly delighted my heart to meet so many small-but-mighty churches doing big things for Christ.
What a joy it has been to meet so many faithful, dedicated individuals in my travels. I feel truly blessed to be even a small part of this incredible connectional system – what I like to call Team Jesus. There’s no better team to be on, and no better team to cheer for! Development work is, at its core, about rekindling and growing relationships. I’m excited and honored to be one of the hands and feet helping to make that happen. Our strategic plan at the Foundation centers around putting relationships first and being present with our ministry partners. I look forward to continuing this journey together – building relationships, strengthening ministries, and joyfully advancing God’s Kingdom, one faithful step at a time.