I Am Wilshire – Monica Mullins.
Hometown: Woodward, Oklahoma
Education: Bachelor’s in English, Oklahoma Baptist University; Master’s in Education, Azusa Pacific University
Profession: Director of Student Services at Baylor’s Nursing School
Present city: Plano
Tell us about your family. My brother and his family live in the New York City area. My mom lives in Northwest Oklahoma. My best friends, the McQuades, are my chosen family and live in Georgia.
Tell us about your work/volunteer life. I have worked in higher education for over 32 years. Most of my volunteer work revolves around local and global missions.
What are your favorite hobbies? Running, cycling, camping, hiking — anything that gets me outdoors!
Where is your favorite place to travel? The Big Bend region of Texas.
What brought you to Wilshire and when? I moved here for work, and Wilshire is the first and only place I visited due to Darren DeMent’s sister being a dear friend.
Where are you engaged in Wilshire? Sanctuary Choir, Carillon Ringers, Faith in 3D. I’m currently serving as a deacon.
What has surprised you most about Wilshire? Wilshire is the church of my hopes and dreams. That it exists in real life is the biggest surprise to me!
What do you think God is up to in your life? How often do I wish that I knew the answer to that question! I am learning patience and to be still and know that He is God.
Tell us about your faith journey. My life has always been intertwined with the church, and that is both beautiful and challenging to my faith. Not only are my degrees from Christian universities, but I have spent my professional life working for Baptist schools. I believe I have been called to serve God with my life and work. Nevertheless, I have struggled with doubt from a young age. In many ways, the father’s exclamation in Mark 9 resonates with my frequent cry to God, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Through God’s people and God’s church, he frequently has. I am a deeply religious person. I love the rhythms, practices and mysteries of a life of faith. In the end, I do not know how to live without the benediction that George offers us weekly.
What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you? I survived being attacked by a hippo while traveling in Uganda.
What adjectives describe you? Loyal, unique, open-minded and adventurous.