I grew up in a close-knit Christian family in Bismarck, IL, where I was baptized at age 10. I knew early on that sharing the love of Jesus was something I wanted to be part of. In our small country church, formal youth programs were limited, so I joined nearby youth groups or started my own after-school Bible studies and community projects. FCA wasn’t available to me growing up, but these experiences shaped my passion for connecting people to faith in authentic, personal ways.

After earning a degree in special education from Illinois State University, I spent 30 fulfilling years teaching in various school districts across Illinois. This experience emphasized to me the importance and power of small groups to build deep, life-changing relationships and allowed me to connect with hundreds of students from diverse backgrounds. It was during this time that I met my husband, Kent, and together we embraced the joy of raising our five children—Matt, Zane, Tyson, Layla, and Hunter—all of whom are (or were) actively involved in sports.

Upon retiring from teaching, I explored business opportunities while using my skills to support nonprofits and small businesses. It was during this time that Brian Carpenter, our local FCA representative, reached out about joining FCA as a board member. I saw firsthand the incredible growth of FCA in our area and realized this was a mission I wanted to support more fully.

Now, as FCA’s administrative assistant, I focus on organizing the logistics, finances, communications, and event planning for our directors and area representatives across East-Central, South-Central, and Southern Illinois areas. While I’m not on the field or in the gym, my role allows FCA staff to dedicate their time to the discipleship of coaches and athletes, and I’m grateful to serve the ministry in this way.