Who Am I?

I realize that some of you who are reading this blog have no idea who I am. I thought it might be helpful to let you in on my journey into the church planting world.

I grew up going to a Catholic church. In fact, my Mom actually worked for the Catholic church (no, not as a nun). She was in charge of the CCD program (their version of Sunday school). I went through all the "steps" and was confirmed in high school. I believed in God and Jesus, but didn't understand what being in a relationship with God looked like (and probably wouldn't have wanted one anyway). I basically went to church to appease my mom, check-out guys and look for my friends. Once I graduated from high school, I never really went to Catholic church again.

I met my husband in 1992, while working at a movie theater in Buffalo, NY (Ironically, when Forefront first started we met in a movie theatre. We couldn't keep ourselves away from the polyester; it's quite sexy). At the time, I was pretty miserable, in a bad relationship, and suffering from undiagnosed depression. My friendship with Vince started in January. I was drawn to his joy and humor. His outlook on life was so uplifting and so different from what I was experiencing. After many long conversations I finally understood what made him so different; it was Jesus. I knew the God he talked about, but I didn't KNOW him. Vince introduced me to a God who is full of love and compassion for his people and who desires to be in an intimate relationship with them. I got to the point where I couldn't resist God. I was hooked and I was changed forever.

To make a long story short, I ended the relationship I was in and we started dating in August 1992. Vince headed to law school at the University of Illinois and I stayed in Buffalo to continue at Buffalo State College. After a year of law school, Vince felt like God was calling him into the ministry. He transferred to Cincinnati Bible Seminary (now called Cincinnati Christian University) where he got his Masters Degree.

We moved to Louisville, KY and were married in July 1994. Vince did a one year internship at Southeast Christian Church and then we headed to Northern Virginia to join New Life Christian Church. Then in May 1997, we moved to Virginia Beach to start Forefront.

My entrance into church planting is best summed up with one word..."clueless." Growing up in a Catholic church did not prepare me to be a planter/pastor's wife (Catholic priests don't have too much to offer in that department). I didn't attend Bible College, I had no official training, and I didn't have anyone who officially took me under their wing to teach me the ropes. So I've basically been winging it!

In some ways, winging it has been difficult. But, on the other hand I'm kind of glad it's worked out this way. I came into ministry with no preconceived ideas of what my pastor's wife role should look like. I had the freedom to create my role and be satisfied with it. I had the additional benefit of being part of a new church, which further allowed me to create my own model for ministry. I know a lot of women who enter ministry and either have preconceived ideas of what they should be doing, or have people telling them what they should be doing. I don't play the piano, I don't sing and I certainly don't knit...and I don't have any pressure to do those things.

The reason I started this blog was because I really want to help church planting wives. Even though all of our backgrounds differ, we are all in the same boat. My desire is to encourage and support fellow planting wives out there. I guess I wish there was a blog like this out there for me when we first started. Being part of a new church plant is difficult. Some of my darkest days have taken place here. But it's also such an amazing thrill ride. A ride that I'm grateful to be on. So, no matter what your past looks like, keep in mind that you are not alone in your present situation. There is a community of women out there who understand. And at least one other clueless person you can relate to!

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