Hometown: I currently live in San Antonio, Texas, however, I was born in Chicago Illinois
Degree(s) Obtained / Years Gratuated from SAGU:
I currently hold an Associate of Arts in religious studies, and I am working towards a Bachelor’s in Church Leadership with an emphasis in Compassion Ministries and a Minor in Marriage and Family Counseling. I am also a credentialed Licensed minister with the Assemblies of God and an Army Veteran.
Q. Tell us a little bit about yourself. I was not raised in the church, and after suffering sexual abuse, I became a teenage mother at the age of 15. Consequently, I had to leave school after 8th grade and went on to receive my GED. Years later, I entered the military, where I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I was told after my accident that I would never be able to accomplish the task of receiving an associate’s degree, let alone a bachelor’s, due to the effects of my disability. However, God had a greater plan. I applied to SAGU and was originally rejected due to my low entrance exam scores. However, I was encouraged by Rev. Dave Roever to continue to pursue the opportunity and not give up. After speaking with the Veteran Affairs Rehabilitation Center, they stated they would grant me a scholarship for a bachelor’s degree if Southwestern decided to accept me. After members of the SAGU administration advocated for me, I was told that I would be accepted as long as I completed the prerequisite courses. Last spring, I graduated with the Associate’s degree that I was told I would never be able to accomplish – and I graduated with a GPA of 3.81! All glory be to God. And I am continuing to pursue my bachelor’s in order to inspire others to trust God in completing the steps necessary in fulfilling their calling.
Q. How is your time at SAGU influencing and preparing you for what you are doing now? My husband and I are currently leading a compassion ministry called “Arms of Comfort,” Which serves the military and 1st responders. I am also a human trafficking survivor, and I advocate and bring awareness to the issue. I also serve in youth ministry. Being part of the church leadership with compassion program has helped to better prepare me for leading and growing “Arms of Comfort” ministry
Q: How did you know you wanted to be in your current field? I believe that the gift of compassion, which, through my studies, I now know God has given me, came from surviving much tragedy in my life and seeing God’s hand transform my life. In 2004, when God gave me the vision for the ministry and my calling, I knew my desire was to comfort others as God so graciously has comforted me and has opened doors for me to share my life as an offering to others. By sharing my testimony and inspiring others to believe in God for great things from God for His glory and His Kingdom.
Q: Tell us a little about your current role in your career/ ministry. Technically, my husband and I are both retired and disabled veterans. However, after my husband retired from 31 years of military service as a warrant officer, we knew God was not done with us yet. Having served for over 20 years in ministry as a lay member, we now felt called to full-time ministry. And we wanted to be well-equipped by studying to show ourselves approved. We both entered SAGU, where he recently received a Master’s in theology, and I am continuing my Bachelor’s degree. We serve in our church as leaders working with the youth, military, and 1st responders. I also do public speaking, where I share on military trauma and human trafficking. We also lead Reboot trauma courses.
Q: Tell us about a memorable/funny moment in your career/ministry. This article would never end if I began to share all the memorable, miraculous, and funny moments I have experienced in my years of ministry, so I’d like to take the opportunity to share the most memorable moments at Southwestern and the way the professors have poured into my life. I never felt as if I was alone in my learning journey due to the fact that I am a distance education student. On the contrary, professors like Professor Rennae De Freitas, Dr. Michael Clarensau, Dr. Tim Myers, and Dr. Terance Espinoza have made me feel like I was actually there in the classroom by extending themselves when I have had questions, educationally, personally, or spiritually or was in need of prayer and support. The challenges of my disability are so real, and I am made aware of them every day. Many days, I have wanted to simply quit. However, I always knew my amazing professors were just a phone call away At any moment. And this truly brings tears to my face and comfort to my heart. Professor Rennae De Freitas has personally availed herself to mentoring me. Which, as a woman in ministry, is something I have been asking God for for many years and is sometimes difficult to find.
Q. What would you tell a current SAGU student today? I am always encouraging teenagers and adults alike to consider receiving an education at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. For those who are seeking to step into ministry with the Assemblies of God especially, there is no better place than to receive a degree with Southwestern. I have established relationships and feel that I will be supported for the rest of my life by the amazing men and women God, which He has brought into my life through my education and time at SAGU. For those who tell me they cannot go on campus, I encourage them to not give up and to consider distant education because SAGU professors have a supernatural way of removing the distance by sharing their hearts. By truly loving, praying, and supporting their students, we seek to fulfill the desire to serve the Lord. Though there are many online educational programs, SAGU has helped me to better navigate my ministry within the Assemblies of God. Specifically, the classes and instructors of my professors have helped me prepare for my credentialing process.
About SAGU:
Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927 and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
