kimberly’s story.

Hello and welcome to our internet sanctuary! My name is Kimberly. I’m a child of God, a wife of almost 25 years, and a mom to 4 children. I have a B.A. in economics from the University of Southern California and a master of divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. I was ordained as a pastor (elder) in the United Methodist church. I love, love, love animals (we have 3 dogs — all terriers (sometimes you’ll hear them in the background of my Bible study lectures) and a turtle :)). I also love traveling, decorating and interior design, thunder storms, roller coasters, and reading. Oh … and coffee! My family and I live in Central Florida.

My path to resilient faith has not been easy or straightforward. From an early age, I embraced the “idea” of God, but I wrestled with going “all in.” Like so many people, I struggled with the difficult subjects of suffering and evil. How could God allow such things, I asked? As a result, my youth was filled with a kind of dance — one step forward, two steps back (sometimes twenty steps back). But no matter how much I tried to run from God (and I did at times), I could never completely abandon faith. And through it all … God never stopped pursuing my heart.

Eventually, I stopped running. I gave my life to Christ. But, something still wasn’t right. I felt “stuck.” I wasn’t advancing in my faith at all and I didn’t know what to do next. For me, the real catalyst was the birth of my firstborn child. As I held my sweet baby girl in my arms I knew that I needed God if I was to have any chance at getting the parenting thing right.

Shortly thereafter, we moved to Texas and began attending The Woodlands United Methodist Church. On our first Sunday I saw an advertisement for an upcoming Bible study and recognized it as a chance to develop my relationship with God. I love to read but I always got so frustrated trying to read the Bible. I struggled to relate to so much of it, yet I sensed understanding the Bible better would be key to my faith. That Bible study and that church became the instruments that God used to transform me and convince me to really go all in with God. I simply couldn’t get enough of Scripture. Each week’s lesson made me want to learn more. From there … God paved the way for me to embrace my calling.

That passion God ignited in me for God’s Word? It never left — it just grows stronger. Although there are aspects of faith that will always be a mystery (by God’s design), my relationship with God has led me to a place of resiliency. Here’s what I’m sure of: God is good. God’s Word is life-changing and offers new insights and wonders every single time we listen to it or read it. And it is absolutely worth it to take a leap of faith.

God bless you,
Kimberly