Susan’s Story

My life has been shaped by my journey and those whom God has placed around me since my childhood. I’m a northern gal who was transplanted to beautiful Virginia after a four-year stop in Tennessee. I’ve lived in the south longer than I lived in the north so I consider myself to be a southern gal with a bit of a northern flare. After many years of living the single life, God divinely joined me with my husband, Sam. Besides being a wonderful husband, father, papa, and friend, he’s an amazing Pastor! It’s both a joy and adventure to serve in ministry with him.

I have enjoyed my times on the mountaintop and also experienced God’s extravagant love and grace when in the valley or pit of despair. Ministry life has not come without challenges – great challenges at times. I have experienced the depths of pain and loneliness that only a woman in ministry would understand. I had not been married very long before God placed a burden in my heart for Pastor’s wives. Over the past several years, my desire to help, support and make a difference in their lives has continued to grow. I anxiously awaited the time when God would release me in some way to minister to my ministry wife friends both near and far. God brought all of this together with clarity in the summer of 2017. God divinely orchestrated the people, places, and things that would help make this possible, and I am forever grateful to God for the privilege to love and encourage the beautiful women who love and encourage so many. I have not, nor will I ever “arrive” in my knowledge, skill, and ability to do what God has called me to do, but I have been CALLED. I truly believe that those whom God calls He qualifies, and He blesses obedience. Outside of my ministry life, some of my favorite things include singing, bike riding, having lunch with friends, drinking herbal tea, collecting Starbucks mugs, and traveling. My favorite and most inspirational trip was to Israel. but I thoroughly enjoy our vacations at the beach. I hope to travel to many more places both near and far in the days and years ahead.

The Professional Me…

I spent many years climbing the corporate ladder before God called me to serve in full-time ministry. My corporate experience includes work in the fields of Human Resources, Training and Development, and management. I earned a Bachelor’s degree from Lee University and a Master’s degree in Education and Human Development from The George Washington University. I am also a credentialed minister. At Celebration Church, I serve alongside my husband as the Discipleship Pastor and also lead our Worship and Women’s Ministries. I am also a graduate of the Proverbs 31 and C.L.A.S.S. speaker’s conferences. I am committed to life-long learning so I regularly attend church-related conferences and participate in online classes for personal growth. I believe in life-long learning, and strive to be and do my best for God. I have secular and ministry experience coaching, teaching, training, speaking, writing, and in workshop facilitation. I thoroughly enjoy helping people grow and use their God-given gifts to fulfill God’s purpose and destiny for their lives.