Position: Director of Christian Education

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education Leadership, Concordia University Irvine 2004

Personal Information: I grew up in Hawaii and went to “the mainland” for college and never left! I have been working with youth and kids since 2004 and did most of my ministry in California until God called me to Colorado and Shepherd of the Hills in August of 2023. My immediate family still lives on Oahu and most of my extended family is in Northern California. I will travel just about anywhere to see my favorites in concert and for those who like personality stuff I’m an ESFJ (actually a F++ super feeler here)

an Enneagram 2w1 and an otter. 

Enjoys: I think my Instagram bio sums me up in a nutshell: Lover of Jesus, people, live music, quality time, and a good game night. And since 2020 a lover of Kpop and Asian dramas.

Fun Fact: I LOVE escape rooms. I’m pretty sure I could do one every day for the rest of my life and still enjoy them. I’ve done escape rooms in California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Illinois, Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado.

What I love about my position: I just love people so that’s my favorite part of the job! I love that I get to hear people’s stories, that I have the honor of praying with them, supporting youth in their world and extracurriculars, and that I get to create experiences for people (especially youth) to encounter God and deepen their relationship with Him by spending time with Him, His Word, and His people.

Bible Verse with Special Meaning:

Oh there’s so many! But I’ll leave you with three:

Romans 1:16- For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

When I was in high school my DCE would sign all his notes to me with Romans 1:16. One day I asked him if he did that because he knew it was my confirmation verse. He said he did it because it was HIS confirmation verse! I thought that was pretty special to share a confirmation verse with my DCE.

Romans 5:3-5- Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

As someone who has gone through a handful of traumatic events in my life these verses are ones that I’ve gravitated to for a long time. It’s comforting to know that suffering is not the end result.

Matthew 5:16- In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

I love this verse in Matthew because it is a great reminder that our actions often speak louder than words and that the way we care for one another can be a great witness that we are followers of Jesus!