I was born in Lewistown Hospital March 14, 1972. My father was in the Air Force, so I grew up all over the world. We moved almost every year of my childhood. After graduation I married my husband Brian who has been working for ABF Freight Systems for the last 30 years. We will be married 30 years this June. We have three children, Samantha is an RN and is married to Dr. Ryan and they are expecting their first child this summer, Brian Jr. is working on the railroad and is the father of our granddaughter lzabella, our youngest, Ben is a teenager who enjoys soccer and video games. We have a yellow lab named Tucker. I am blessed with a supportive husband and family that have given up much so that I can live God's call.
We have lived in McAlisterville for almost 28 years. Our home church is McAlisterville UMC. We are very familiar with Juniata County, we love the area and the people, they are our neighbors. Having lived here most of our lives we have seen and experienced some of the things our neighbors have. We know some of the needs of the people in our community and our church has a lot of the same ministries near and dear to hearts that Aldersgate does.
I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on March 29, 1994. The Holy Spirit gifted me to humbly serve others quietly in the background. Learning to care for my neighbors was where my call began. God first called me to ministry in my late 20's but I was full of reasons why I didn't think ministry was for me. I was a wife and mother with 3 kids. I was terrified of speaking in public and I was quite shy. The list went on and on. God grew me over the next season of my life. He solidified my love for Him, His Word and His people. He tackled every one of my excuses and my fears. God and our church family encouraged me to teach Sunday school, become the lay leader of our church, be a reader on Sundays, and become a lay servant. My first Annual Conference the Holy Spirit asked me to go forward during the altar call, but I wasn't ready. The next year at Annual Conference I knew there would be an altar call, so before it I let the Holy Spirit know I wasn't going forward because I still wasn't ready. While we were singing "Here I Am Lord"; I was led through the power of the Holy Spirit to the altar and completely surrendered to whatever the Father's plans are for my life. All the fears I once had completely melted away and a humble awe and excitement in serving God and His people took its place.
I believe there is only one God manifested in three persons, God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit. All three persons of the trinity are worthy of praise, honor and worship. God is the Creator of all things. I believe in Jesus' virgin birth, His life, His death on the cross, His resurrection and His ascension into heaven. There is only one way to be forgiven and saved from sin, through the blood of Jesus Christ. I believe that God loves everyone and desires for them to be with Him forever. I believe Jesus Christ died for all mankind. I believe in the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit lives in all who accept Christ and that the Holy Spirit leads, guides, comforts, teaches, convicts, and encourages us in our daily lives. I believe the Bible is the living, powerful inspired Word of God.
My predominate spiritual gifts are mercy, teaching, leadership, exhortation, faith, prophecy and shepherding. I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to walk hand in hand with all of you during this next season in our lives. I am praying for all of you. Together we will be beacons of light that illuminate the lives of those around us. May our awesome God lead us to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!
Blessings, Pastor Mindy