I grew up in church my whole life, but it wasn’t until my adulthood and after multiple years of lay ministry that I finally began to understand the story of the Bible. Once I understood how it culminates in the life of Jesus, I wanted to help clarify the story for others who also had a hodgepodge of Bible knowledge.

Matthew 22:35-40 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus has summed up the Bible for us - love God first and foremost, and love our neighbors as ourselves. What a massive help! With such a large book to read and a winding history to sift through, we’ve been told the gist of the story: love God and love our neighbors. If we ever pick up the Bible and cannot understand it or aren’t sure what to think about it, we have a foundation to return to: what does it tell us about loving God and loving our neighbor?

I’ve served in public education for 13 years as a teacher and advanced academics specialist, and I’m also a seminary student in a Biblical and Theological studies program. I love designing lessons, resources and curriculum to help pave a pathway for growth. In lay ministry, I’ve also taught Bible studies, served as a worship leader, led mission trips and more. Through God & Neighbor, I work at the intersection of my professional role and my ministry role to help others!