Tell us about yourself and your work. Where are you located? What do you do with your time? Do you have any hobbies?

I have been a priest in the Church for about 12 years. For the past eight years, I was Associate Priest at a rapidly growing and thriving parish in an urban setting. I have recently been called to serve as rector of another congregation in the same city. I live in West Seattle and spend my time nurturing and caring for the community of St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. My husband and I have two children, ages seven and four. We enjoy riding bikes as a family, reading, and exploring the beauty of the Northwest. I am also a longtime, avid practitioner of CrossFit.

How did you come to or find the Episcopal Church?

I didn’t so much find the Episcopal Church as it found me. My parents were active Episcopalians when I was born and this Church is all I’ve ever known. It’s as comfortable as a pair of broken-in slippers.

What does it mean to be an evangelist?

To be an evangelist is to be a disciple of Jesus, one who seeks the Kingdom of God in this place, and bears the Good News of God in Christ to others through words and action.

Have you registered for Evangelism Matters 2018? Learn more here.

What do you want the whole Church to know about evangelism?

I want the whole church to know that evangelism is a natural outpouring of our baptismal covenant. It is part of the great commission, our calling to be disciples who live in this world always seeking God’s Kingdom, always striving to share the Good News with those whom we are in relationship. In the Kingdom of God, relationship is primary and it is our work to be in relationship with those whom we encounter day in and day out, bearing witness to Christ in this world.

Where do you see Jesus in your daily life and work?

I see Jesus every time I turn around, reflected in the faces and stories and lives of those in my congregation, in those to whom we minister, and those with whom we interact outside our church walls. Jesus was vividly present the other night as I witnessed a parishioner, formerly homeless and addicted himself, now clean, sober, and a functioning member of society, lead a group of us in feeding 200 homeless people under a freeway overpass in the rain. Jesus is palpably present in that story of resurrection and redemption and gave me hope as I looked into the eyes of each person who came through the line that night in need of a hot meal, human interaction, and a smile.

Evangelism catalysts, invited by their bishops, will meet the day before Evangelism Matters 2018 – March 14, 2018 – to learn from and network with other evangelists from across the Episcopal Church. Interested in joining? Contact your bishop’s office!