I Am Wilshire – Rachel Rossiter Murphy
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska
Education: Wheaton College (Wheaton, Illinois)
Profession: Licensed clinical social worker
Present city: Dallas
Where did you grow up? I was born in Baltimore. We moved to Omaha when I was 9 years old, and I consider that home!
Favorite pastimes or hobbies? I am a “jack of all trades, master of none.” I start hobbies then bounce to the next one! I enjoy reading and can get immersed in a book or series easily.
Favorite books? My 4th grade teacher, Gail Carson Levine, gave me my favorite book Ella Enchanted. I have read it to the point of falling apart! I grew up in the world of Harry Potter, so fiction has always had a special place in my heart. I have been getting into parenting books more recently.
Favorite place to travel? Anywhere with mountains. I love taking in the scenery.
What brought you to Wilshire? I visited Wilshire while dating my future husband, Sam Murphy. We agreed to try each other’s churches to see where we wanted to go together, but we never got around to visiting my church! I was convinced early on that Wilshire was the right place for me.
Where are you engaged in Wilshire? I attend Ithaka Class and I’m on the Missions Committee. Last year I started the Wilshire Mental Health Professionals Network group. I look forward to re-engaging with the Room in the Inn ministry.
What surprised you about Wilshire? The longevity of the staff. That is incredibly rare and I think a testament to good leadership.
Tell us about your work. I am currently in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and certified EMDR therapist. I modeled my life mission after my dad’s — to help people, plain and simple. I am winding down my caseload as I prepare for my next job title: mom! I’ll return to counseling after the baby, but life will look very different!
What do you think God is up to in your life? This past year of COVID has been a rough one on my faith life. I didn’t realize how important corporate worship is to me until I didn’t have it anymore. Being back in the church, I am experiencing God’s love like a breath of fresh air.
What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you? I majored in ancient languages at Wheaton with plans to go overseas to help translate the Bible. Please don’t ask me to translate anything! God had other plans for me, clearly.