I have been a member of the Bridge my whole life, but I joined the pastoral staff in 2019. I have been working as the Adult Discipleship pastor since 2021.
I love reading, writing, and having meaningful conversation over good coffee. My husband, Andy, and I also love playing board games, hosting people for dinner, watching quality TV shows, and checking out breweries around Des Moines.
My faith at times feels like an on-going wrestling match – a perpetual conversation.
There are things about scripture and things about the church in the world right now that frustrate me and leave me asking God an endless string of questions. But ultimately, the unmatched love and grace I have encountered in Jesus, and the vision for wholeness, restoration, justice, and peace I see pictured in scripture as the Kingdom of God have held me in.
Bio
In the Church, I have watched imperfect, broken people, empowered by the Spirit, display glimpses of that Kingdom and demonstrate sacrificial love in ways that make me want to continue to be shaped and challenged by this diverse, and imperfect body of people.
My hope is that as I serve as a pastor of The Bridge more people would experience the love of Jesus and the hope of His Kingdom in ways that compel them love God more and love others well, and that people would feel the freedom to bring their whole selves – including their questions, doubts, and frustrations – to the table as they seek God in community.
I grew up in Des Moines, and actually was raised at Meredith Drive Reformed Church. I did my undergraduate studies in Religion at Central College in Pella, IA, and received my Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA. I am ordained in the Reformed Church in America.
I am passionate about pursuing ways to live out and communicate the good news of Jesus that resonate with younger generations. I love making music, reading, engaging in creativity through watercoloring and writing poetry, and having deep conversations over good coffee.
I am excited to see how God is calling the Church to innovate and get creative around its call to witness to the Kingdom of God at work in the world.