Before FamilyLife, I was on staff with SEND Int'l, serving at one of their radio stations in Alaska as the morning show host and program director.  This is where God crafted my heart for ministry.  I saw how He took something that I was involved with and changed lives through the medium of radio.  I wanted to be vessel that God was using to share His love with others.  I wanted to live a life that mattered, a life that glorified Him.  I wanted to leave a legacy that pointed to Him and Him only.

While in Alaska God put a group of teenagers in my life that came to my home Sunday nights.  We'd hang out, eat, and study the Bible together.  I saw the impact that God had in their lives, and all I was doing was loving them and sharing what He was teaching me.  Five years ago, when I moved to FamilyLife headquarters in Little Rock, Arkansas, He once again put a group of young ladies in my path.  Every year the group grows and

this year we needed to split into 2 groups.  I never would have imagined how God could provide such a ministry.  I didn't set out to work with youth, but I love mentoring.  I love my girls.

What are some ways in which you have seen God’s faithfulness in your ministry?

He keeps spurring me on to bigger and better things.  I told a Bible Study group that I almost can't wait to see what's on the horizon, life keeps getting better and holds more excitement every day.  That fervor in my life I have counted as God's faithfulness to me.  He is faithful to multiply the number of girls I disciple, showing me that He trusts me with these precious lives.  He is faithful to provide all my finances (I am missionary staff with Campus Crusade and need to raise all my living expenses).  He is faithful to provide a way through each and every struggle.  He is faithful to provide a job I delight in (I've been told that my face lights up every time I talk about what I do - now that's God, not me).  He is faithful even when the days seem too hard to face (I am noticing that the more I fall in love with Christ, the better my reaction is to those difficult things and that I can always say "God is good, all the time").  

If you struggle with seeing His faithfulness check out Nancy Leigh DeMoss' latest book "Choosing Gratitude."  It's an amazing book that made me thankful for running water and electricity in my apartment, and through it God helped me see His faithfulness in so many facets of my life.

You are really using this single season of your life to focus on Kingdom work rather

than chasing after a guy - what inspired you to make that choice?

Elizabeth Elliot.  I heard her speak on the radio 12 years ago and it changed my life.  She mentioned that single women needed to spend their time living a full life, not waiting around for a guy to make their life full.   I need to live my life now and not put it on hold till I meet that special someone.  In the 12 years since hearing those words, God has given me an extremely full and fulfilling life - Him, friends, family, ministry.  

I told a friend the other day that I would probably be disappointed if God chose this year to bring Mr. Right into my life.  I still can't believe that I said that, she couldn't either.  She kept looking at me as if I had 4 heads.  But God has given me so many opportunities this year that I can't help but want to stay on this track for a little while.  Please know that I have gone through many, many ebbs and flows on the singleness issue, and it hasn't been an easy path to get to where I am now - but God has been my rock and encouragement.

What are some practical ways that help you keep Christ at the center of your life?

Spending significant time with God. I journal a lot, writing down Bible verses and quotes from authors that impact my life.  Reading books by persecuted Christians like "Vanya: A True Story", "Evidence Not Seen" and "Refuge: A True Story of Faith and Civil War" keeps me grounded and humbled.  The individuals in these pages have such an incredible faith in Christ, I stand amazed and humbled at the strong faith these people hold so firmly.  These books have given me such a longing to know and experience more of Christ.  I would also encourage anyone to memorize passages in Scripture.  There is nothing like having the Word of God swirling in your head to keep Christ at the center of each and every day.  

How would you encourage other single young women in this season of their lives?

At 35 and single, I have struggled with what the Christian community thinks of my status in life.  Most people ask me 'what's wrong with me' or 'why haven't I settled down' or 'don't you want children'.  The desire of my heart for years has been to be married and have a family.  This summer my pastor mentioned that there will be no marriage in heaven, and while I've heard this several times before, those words seemed to lift a heaviness in me.  For some reason those words were a balm to a hurting soul.  Maybe it was because I was dealing with an identity crisis.  I serve at a marriage and family ministry and being a wife and mother is held in such high esteem.   I started to think God gave me His second best.  But after Pastor Tim made his comment I started to look at things differently.  While marriage is something special and something to be cherished, it isn't what God has given me at this point.  He has given me His best, an amazing walk with Him, a terrific ministry with FamilyLife, awesome young ladies to mentor, a classy lady to mentor me and so much more.  But more than all of that He has given me the promise of life-everlasting with Him.  And today, tomorrow and the next day I need to be in preparation for that time when I get to walk on those streets of gold.

Rachel Barkey said these words a few months before dying of cancer, "Cancer does not define me. Neither does being a wife or a mother. All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me. What defines me is my relationship with Jesus."  Through her example, I can now say "Singleness does not define me, neither does being a sister, daughter, mentor or friend.  All these things are part of who I am but they do not define me.  What defines me is my relationship with Jesus."   And that's all that matters. *

When did you come to Christ and choose to live a set-apart life for Him?

While I said 'the prayer' at 5 yrs old I truly wasn't converted till I was 21 years.  Growing up in a religious family, I had taken my walk with Christ for granted for many years.  Then one day in a Sunday School class for college students I watched a friend break down and sob because Christ had shown her her sin.  Terri was a good girl, a missionary kid, and planning on heading back to the mission field when she finished her degree - how could she have a 'black heart'?  I went back to my dorm and asked Christ to show me my sin.  That week He showed me everything, especially what it meant to be my Savior and Lord of my life.  The set-apart life slowly developed after that experience when God started to reveal the idols in my life, changed my heart and showed me what it means to truly love Him.  I'm still a work in progress, but He hasn't given up on me (and never will).

Tell us about what kind of ministry you have done in the past and what you are doing now.

Currently God has me serving with Campus Crusade for Christ.  I'm assigned to FamilyLife and in charge of expanding their radio broadcast "FamilyLife Today" internationally.  This is done through a modified version of our English broadcast, a Spanish broadcast and a few other languages that are being considered at this point.  I also consult with many FamilyLife directors in other countries on how to produce their own radio broadcast that is culturalized to the needs in their country.  Our radio broadcasts are heard in Burundi, India, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Canada, Ecuador, Honduras, and many other countries.  It's an honor to serve God in this capacity, to be able to use my gifts and talents to touch many lives around the world for Him.