1. What led you to attend Word of Life Bible Institute, and how did your time there impact your faith in Christ?
“I was originally drawn to Word of Life Bible Institute because of the involvement our youth group had in their Snow Camp and Reverb. Not only was it extremely fun, but I always left Word of Life events feeling so spiritually uplifted. My brother, Luke, who is a year older than me, went to the Bible Institute when he graduated high school, and when he returned home, I could see the spiritual growth in him. It made me want the same thing!”
“My time at the Bible Institute strengthened my faith and prepared me to stand firm in a world where faith can sometimes feel rare and is often tested. To spend a full year learning about the Bible, immersing yourself in ministry, and growing with like-minded friends – it’s something I would love for everyone to experience! You can’t go to the Word of Life Bible Institute without it changing your life. God is so at work there, and I’m thankful for what He did in me while I attended.”
2. During your time at Word of Life Bible Institute, what experiences or lessons had the most lasting impact on your life, and how have they influenced you in your current situation?
“I attended Word of Life with my boyfriend at the time, Collin, who is now my husband! It was such an incredible experience to deepen our faith in Christ together. As we studied God’s Word and learned how to apply biblical truth to our daily lives, we not only deepened our personal relationships with Christ but also strengthened our relationship with each other. Those experiences built a strong spiritual foundation for our marriage and taught us what it truly means to keep Christ at the center of our relationship.
We were also able to go on the Israel trip together during our year at the Bible Institute. Seeing the Bible come to life and sharing that journey with my best friend was truly life-changing! Even now, we continue to see how God used that season to shape our marriage and faith.”
“I also had the opportunity to have a mentor at Word of Life, Beth Black. Beth and I had many deep and personal conversations, and she helped me navigate some topics that were hard for me to understand as I learned more about Christianity. Even now, Beth and I still stay in touch – and that alone just shows how lasting of an impact Word of Life can have!
I also developed a few really close friendships during that time that remain strong today. These are friends who genuinely care, who I can ask for prayer in times of need, and who reflect the love of Christ in everything they do. The growth, mentorship, and community I experienced at Word of Life were truly transformative, and I’m deeply grateful for how God used that year to shape my faith and relationships.”
3. You are passionate about your work in nursing. What sparked your passion for this, and how does it shape your endeavors?
“I had always been intrigued by the medical field and knew I had a passion for helping people in need. Nursing was the perfect mix of the two for me! My aunt is a nurse, so I enjoyed talking to her about her job and different medical topics. As I prayed for God to make it clear to me what career path to pursue, I felt a peace that could have only been from Him when I considered nursing as my decision.”
“One aspect that drew me to nursing was its flexibility. I had always hoped to one day be a mother and be able to spend most of my time at home with my children while still maintaining a career in the background. After earning my degree, I began working full-time in a Cardiovascular ICU for nearly two years before welcoming our first child, Arabella. Now, I work per diem in the same unit, which allows me to stay home with my daughter most of the time while continuing to grow as a nurse and keep my RN license active.”
“My husband and I often reflect on how perfectly God orchestrated this path for our family. Nursing has given me the opportunity to live out my passion and calling for God’s glory, while still embracing my role as a mother first. My priorities have shifted, but my sense of purpose has deepened as I’ve become a mom – and I’m so grateful for how God has used nursing to shape this season of my life.”
4. As a leader in your field, what are some of the most rewarding aspects of your role, and how does your faith impact your leadership and interactions with those you work with?
“I find it rewarding when all the efforts that we do as nurses end up helping a patient recover and be able to go home. In the ICU, patients are often in critical or life-threatening conditions. Having come so close to the end of life, many patients become more open to talking about faith and spiritual matters. It is so beautiful to see someone have a meaningful recovery and get to talk about these things.”
“On the other hand, there are times where I’m holding someone’s hand as they pass. In these times, it sometimes feels like a huge weight on my shoulders knowing that I may be the last person to ever share the gospel with them before they pass into eternity.
Recently, I had the opportunity to hold a young man’s hand and pray for him just moments before he passed. He wasn’t my patient, but my coworker called me into the room to help with something else. I felt a strong conviction from the Lord to pray for him and ask if he knew Jesus. He nodded that he was a believer, so I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for his salvation and asked God to bring him peace. Even though I felt nervous with my coworker standing beside me, I knew obedience to God mattered more. I may never know the full impact of that moment, but I trust that God used it for His glory.”
“Each day at work, I try to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and follow God’s lead, whether through prayer, encouragement, or compassion. My hope and prayer are that both my patients and coworkers see the love of Christ reflected through me in every interaction.”
5. Looking back at your journey from Word of Life to where you are now, what advice would you give to current students who are seeking God’s direction for their future?
“Pray, pray, pray. I often hear God most when I sit down with my eyes closed, just resting in His presence. Psalm 46:10 says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ When I was young, I was encouraged to act out this verse – sit still, close my eyes, and be in the presence of the Lord. I can honestly say, every time I do this, I hear something from the Lord. Whether it’s something to act on or just something He encourages me with – I urge you to try it too!
Whatever decision you are trying to make, whether it’s a career choice or a personal decision, it may feel like you have to pick the right one. However, at the end of the day, God can use you wherever you are, as long as you let Him!”
Accomplishments & Credentials
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Cedarville University
- Registered Nurse
- Highest Honors at Cedarville
- Character Award – Cedarville Nursing Graduation
- TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) Certification
Current Role:
Registered Nurse, Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit – Penn State Hospital
Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”