Interview

1. What events in your life led to your current occupation?

- Well, I actually knew from a young age that I wanted to do some sort of ministry, just like you. A pastor I was close to gave me the opportunity to work part-time in their youth ministry and I just fell in love with it and I knew it was what God wanted me to do.

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2. Was there a defining moment in your life that you knew you would be a pastor rather than work in another ministry capacity?

- There wasn't one particular moment. The deeper I got into my ministry the more apparent it became that I was supposed to be a pastor.

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3. Are there any instances in which you have been received negatively in your field and have any of them occurred because of your gender? 

- Honestly, anyone who works so closely with people all the time will tell they've met someone who didn't like them, but yes I've definitely had instances of people who didn't know me being shocked or even unhappy that they contacted a pastor and ended up with a woman. As a youth pastor, it can especially be difficult to earn the respect of the younger boys.

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4. Do you believe you have been overlooked for a ministry position because of your gender?

- I never had to do a lot of interviewing or job searching because God has always opened the doors that needed to be opened, but no, I don't think my gender has held me back from any positions. That doesn't mean, though, that I'm not aware that people might expect less from as a woman and I know I have to work my hardest every day.

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5. What aspects of your ministry are improved because of your gender?

- I feel like the fact that I'm a woman does more to inspire the young women I meet and work with that feel called to the ministry. I love getting to pour into their lives and offer a point of view and insight they often haven't encountered before.

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6. What brings you the most joy in your ministry?

- Every chance I get to make a difference in someone's life, especially the teenagers I work with. There is absolutely nothing like walking away and knowing that someone is closer to God because you believed in them and continued to love them and speak into their life.