What brought you to Wilshire and when?
In 1961, my parents were married at Wilshire in a ceremony officiated by Bruce McIver. When I was born in December 1965, I became an instantaneous member of the cradle roll department led by Nina Knox.
What ministries or staff members have impacted your life?
I often refer to Wilshire as the village that raised me. It is the place I first encountered Jesus, grew in my understanding of the depth of his love for me and committed to a lifelong relationship with him. I was baptized by Bruce McIver in the summer following my 5th-grade year. As my pastor from birth through young adulthood, Bruce perhaps influenced my faith journey more than any other person. As a child I was at Wilshire every time the doors were open, and so many people poured into me during that time. My favorite and most formative years were my time in the youth group. Both my youth director, Neal Jeffrey, and our choir director, Bill James, played huge roles in my spiritual growth and preparing me to serve and minister as I transitioned into adulthood.
What are some favorite memories?
My favorite memories center around the music ministry and camp experiences. I loved the musicals we performed in Young Musicians and Youth Choir. I also loved escaping the chaos of “real life” with my church friends, whether that was preteen camp, Disciple Now retreats, youth camps, or the opportunity I had to travel all over the country with Youth Choir. I feel incredibly blessed that growing up at Wilshire afforded me so many amazing opportunities, yet even more so connected me with so many lifelong friends.
Why have you stayed for so long?
While I’ve remained connected to Wilshire through my family for the past 60 years, when I graduated from Baylor in 1989, I began attending another church in the area with friends. In 2014, I decided it was time to come “home.” I was drawn to George Mason’s vision and passion for those populations that had been pushed to the margins and often out of the church for way too long. I believed in the mission of Wilshire and moreover that Jesus calls us to build bridges, not walls. In September 2014, I joined Wilshire once again, and as they say, the rest is history.