Donate to Rebuild Stability for a Future Minister

Most of my friends and family are aware of the exciting and sometimes terrifying journey I’ve been on for the last four years as I have been a candidate for ministry with the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America).

I have done so much stretching and growing over the years, and each step along the way has had its challenges. Each time I think I can’t take one more step, depleted of strength, inspiration, and resources, God has provided for me.

In May 2023, I walked in graduation from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary which was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the three years of study and formation to be a minister.

Recently, I finished my internship with the amazing people at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga, CA. Then on Thursday, August 22, I was officially approved for rostered ministry. It was a full-circle moment for me. I’m so grateful to each of you for your prayers and supportive thoughts on my behalf.

The time between the end of my internship and that approval was difficult for me. I was required to wait a month after finishing my internship job in order to have my approval interview. During this time, I was unemployed and without housing for nearly 3 weeks. During this time, I applied for jobs to tide me over and explored possibilities of staying with friends or hanging out in a parsonage under renovation, but none of the free options were realistic, so I ended up staying in a La Quinta Hotel for that time and putting all my belongings in storage.

I’m happy to report that I found a wonderful job with a hospitality house in the San Jose area that does incredible work supporting families who have someone in the hospital receiving care for a traumatic injury or long-term illness. I’ll be telling you all more about this in the next few weeks. I’m excited to put my multiple-career skills and abilities to work helping to develop the reach of this non-profit doing important work in the South Bay.

Securing employment meant I could apply for an apartment, and 2 days after I was approved for ministry and a week after securing this job, I moved into an apartment that is perfect for me and Della as we put down roots in the San Jose area and can transition into this next chapter of my life.

But…I need your help.

I had some significant savings at the end of my internship, due in part to the graciousness of my intern church who gifted me with money as I ended my time there. Unfortunately, the 3 weeks of living in a hotel, moving everything to storage, my trip to Seattle for my approval interview, and associated costs of living out of a hotel, most of my savings were spent. I lost over $3,000 in this process, which meant I had nothing for a new apartment.

A friend has graciously put up the money to get me into my apartment but needs that money back to pay taxes at the end of September. This is where I need your help. Many of you have helped me along the way, but I’m reaching out to those of you who have maybe observed from a distance or are friends of my fellow seminarians that might be able to help.

I need to raise at least $3,000 by the end of September so that I can step into this new chapter free of debt. From the beginning of this candidacy journey, I have trusted God to provide for me, and those provisions have come from unexpected places.

Would you be willing to help me?