My Story

I was blessed to be born and raised in a Christian home in Canton, Ohio. I grew up attending Canton Baptist Temple (CBT), and from an early age I was involved in church life. On February 14, 2010, I recognized that my sin separated me from a holy and just God—that I fell short of His righteousness. That day, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior, placing my trust in Him and believing that God sent His Son to live a perfect life, die on the cross for my sins, and rise again three days later. Through the gospel, all who believe have eternal life in Christ. Later that same year, I followed the Lord in baptism.
As I grew older, I continued serving and staying active in church. In 2020, I graduated high school and went to Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, to major in physical therapy and play on the women’s tennis team. Before leaving for college, I was told that this would be a season where I would have to decide what my faith truly meant to me. I soon learned how true that was.
During college, I slowly drifted away from God. I rooted my identity in the world and pursued what it could offer instead of relying on God and His Word.  In 2023, after earning my associate’s degree and finishing my bachelor’s degree online, I moved back to Canton. I began working as a physical therapist assistant in nursing homes and returned to CBT—though I had no desire to get involved. My priorities were still centered on the world rather than on God. 

 Then, in January 2024, a missions trip to Panama came up to serve alongside Stan and Jackie Sherwood. I had no idea how much this trip would change my life.
Once in Panama, it didn’t take long before the Lord began working on my heart. Seeing people in a different country, language, and culture worship the same God we worship in Canton opened my eyes to the depth and global reach of the gospel. Jesus came to offer salvation to all. My perspective of the world—and of God’s mission—expanded.
During that trip, I realized that the way I had been living was not aligned with God’s will. I had been finding my identity in the world rather than in the One who created me. While there, I surrendered my life back to the Lord and told Him I wanted to live for Him alone—whatever that would mean.
When I returned home, I immediately got involved in church again serving in the nursery and children’s ministry, seeking counsel from godly people, and growing in the Word. 

 Throughout 2024, I sensed the Lord calling me into ministry, specifically missions. That calling felt overwhelming. I often thought, “Why me? What could I possibly do?” I pushed the thoughts aside many times.
But during our fall Wednesday night mission's elective—where different missionaries shared their ministries—each one ended with Matthew 9:37–38: “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few…” And each one asked, “Who is willing to surrender to the Lord’s will? Who is He calling to the mission field?”
Every week, I left knowing the Lord was placing a burden for missions on my heart. I knew I needed to surrender.
In November 2024, I publicly surrendered my life to full‑time missions, even though I didn’t yet know what that would look like. As I sought the Lord’s direction, He placed France on my heart. Through conversations with my pastor and with Jon and Priscilla Laase, the Lord began opening doors for me to serve alongside the Laases in Aix‑en‑Provence, France.
In 2025, I completed my Master of Arts in Applied Ministry from Liberty University, and in 2026 I began a year‑long internship at CBT. During this internship, I am being equipped and prepared for deputation and future ministry in France.