I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. From a young age, my family was involved with the Eagles, whether that was attending PDL and USL2 games, watching my sister's club team compete, or attending Urban Eagles summer block parties. God has used the Eagles, specifically Urban Eagles, to shape my faith and teach me more about Jesus' life and ministry. Upon graduating high school, I went to live in a neighborhood in East Charlotte to do incarnational ministry and work for a refugee support organization called Project 658. During my time there, God continued to move my heart towards the refugee and immigrant community and full-time ministry, leading me to attend school at Biola University in Southern California where I studied Sociology. In my free time, I enjoy doing pretty much any outdoor activity and sharing a meal with friends. I am passionate about truly taking time to understand people and be curious about their lives. I believe in all of our stories are strings of God's faithfulness and His nudging for us to know that He is all our souls need, and I desire for others to know this and walk in the freedom it brings. 

In high school, I was struck by how Eagles missionaries were doing cross-cultural ministry. Their desire was not to be the face of the ministry, but rather to equip and empower high school students to know Jesus, love Him, and teach others about Him. Their desire to immerse themselves in their neighbors' cultures, and humility to realize there is so much to learn from doing life alongside others different than you immediately drew me to incarnational ministry and the Eagles work in East Charlotte. Part of attending college at Biola was not only receiving a Christian education, but also having the opportunity to continue to serve with the Eagles in SoCal. The easier thing would have been to go back to Charlotte after graduating, as I have years of relationship and community surrounding me there. However, because I have been so impacted by Urban Ministry and believe deeply in what it means to be a neighbor as Christ came into our neighborhood, when presented the opportunity to help re-launch Urban in SoCal, I followed God's leading. It has not been without challenge, and has required a lot of courage and grace, but I feel confident that God is already stirring in hearts here in West Fullerton, and as we are faithful to follow, He will continue to reveal His will for this ministry and His people. I feel incredibly blessed that everyday for work, I get to teach people about the Jesus I met through the Eagles all those years ago.

As the Youth and Urban Ministry Coordinator, I spend my days helping to create and implement soccer programming for at-risk youth in our area. I live in West Fullerton and love that I get to do life in the community I am serving. My time is divided between planning curriculum, meeting with partners to better increase our knowledge of the community and their needs, being on the field as a coach, and walking alongside girls as they grow into young women, navigating life as a student, daughter, player, and friend.

In my role, my ultimate hope is to introduce people to Jesus Christ, teach them to follow Him, and empower them as leaders through the global environment of soccer.