I was raised in Southern California in a Christian home.  While we faithfully went to church every Sunday and I often raised my hand to receive Jesus, I didn’t really know Him or have a deeply rooted faith.  I wanted Jesus to be my Savior, but not my Lord. I spent my teens and early twenties focused on worldly success and fun. Extremely lonely after the passing of my mom and the scattering of my family, I looked to relationships to fill the void, only to end up insecure, anxious, and depressed.   

When I was 24, I dated a young man who tried to prove to me that Christianity was false.  And in doing so, I began to realize that God’s ways made sense. Later, I went to a Christian retreat and learned that God not only loved me, but wanted to give me joy. I went home, immediately joined a small group, and read many books that helped me understand the truths of the Bible.   

In 1996, I joined a Bible study organization committed to teaching Biblical principles.  As a leader of a small group, I discovered my passion: to help others know and grow in their relationship with Jesus. The apostle John says there is not greater joy to see his children walking in the truth, and I found that to be true. In the same Bible study, I also met my wonderful husband, Michael Miller.  We got married in 2000 and have the joy of raising two amazing kids: Calvin and Naomi.

In 2003, I went through a very difficult time and found myself in counseling. God used that experience to help me understand the beauty of the gospel and my identity in Christ.  And, He healed much of the brokenness of my past. In so doing, Jesus invited me to partner with Him in binding up the brokenhearted. I now serve at COV as the director of community groups.  It’s an absolute privilege to see people grow in their relationship with Jesus and live out the truth of the gospel in ways that bring God glory and praise.