Can you share a bit about your faith journey and how you came to be a part of the United Methodist Church?
Although I grew up in the church, faith wasn’t always the center of my life. In early adulthood, I found myself searching for a spiritual home—one rooted in grace and welcoming to all. Becoming a wife and mother deepened that longing. I wanted to give my daughter the same foundation of faith and love that had quietly sustained me.
My path wasn’t linear. There were seasons of doubt and moments when I felt distant from God. Yet, I always sensed a quiet pull—a whisper reminding me I wasn’t alone. The “Footprints in the Sand” poem often came to mind, reassuring me that God was carrying me through.
The turning point came when a stranger invited my family to a United Methodist Church service, after my daughter participated in a summer music program at Henderson UMC. I hoped for a warm welcome—and found so much more. I discovered a community of believers, a theology that honored both tradition and personal experience, and a message of grace that felt like water to a thirsty soul.
The United Methodist Church’s motto at that time—Open hearts, open minds, open doors—wasn’t just words. It was lived out in every handshake, every smile, every sermon. I saw a church committed to inclusion and the transformative power of love.
Through Bible studies, mission work, and worship, I began to grow—not just in knowledge, but in spirit. Becoming a member wasn’t just a decision—it was a homecoming. It was my “yes” to grace, to community, and to a faith that continues to evolve and deepen.
What experiences or moments helped you discern your calling to serve as a lay leader?
During worship, I began to feel a deeper stirring—an urge not just to receive, but to serve. Through sermons, hymns, and prayer, I sensed God inviting me into something more.
Church members affirmed my gifts—compassion, leadership, and the ability to listen—which helped me see myself through a lens of service. I quickly became involved: joining Bible studies, singing in the choir, volunteering, and stepping into leadership roles. These moments didn’t feel like obligations—they felt like joy.
As I grew in Scripture and Methodist teachings, I came to understand the vital role of lay leadership in shaping spiritual life. The Wesleyan focus on grace, service, and personal holiness deeply resonated with me. My calling didn’t come in a single moment—it’s been a gradual unfolding of purpose.
Lay leadership, I’ve learned, is about relationships. I feel called to be a bridge between clergy and congregation, helping build a church that reflects Christ’s love in every corner.
Was there a particular person or mentor in your life who inspired your leadership in the church?
My mother, Ena Patricia Rohlehr has been a guiding force in my life for as long as I can remember. Though I didn’t always understand her ways, I’ve come to see her as a woman of deep prayer whose faith shaped my journey through grace.
Her mentorship wasn’t formal—it was lived. She shared her love for God through everyday acts of kindness, resilience, and unwavering belief. Her Christ-like example continues to deepen my understanding of Scripture and what it means to truly see and receive others with grace.
Even as age slows her steps, her faith remains strong. She still teaches me—through her compassion, her strength, and her trust in God. I am eternally grateful for her presence, her prayers, and the legacy of love she’s passed on to me
What does being a lay leader mean to you personally and spiritually?
Being a lay leader is more than a role—it’s a sacred calling that touches every part of my life. It means showing up with humility, listening with compassion, and leading with integrity. I see it as a posture of service: being present for others, supporting the Church’s mission, and offering my gifts to God.
Through relationships built along the way, I’ve learned to walk beside others in both joy and struggle, to be a bridge between clergy and congregation, and to help foster a community where everyone feels seen and valued.
Spiritually, this journey has stretched and deepened me. My prayer life has grown, and I’m challenged to study Scripture more intentionally. Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds me to trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding. Leadership isn’t something I do for God—it’s something I do with God.
I don’t have all the answers, and I make mistakes—but I’ve learned that God equips those He calls. In every meeting, ministry, and moment of decision, I feel the Spirit nudging me to lead with love, courage, and grace.
What are your hopes and goals for your time as the Arkansas Central District UMC Lay Leader?
I hope to strengthen relationships across our churches—bridging congregations, encouraging collaboration, and cultivating unity. I want every layperson to feel connected not just to their local church, but to the wider district family. My goal is to uplift and equip lay members to lead with confidence and faith. I aim to create spaces where their gifts are recognized, their voices heard, and their leadership nurtured.
I am committed to deepening spiritual formation through Bible studies, retreats, and discipleship—growing not just in numbers, but in spiritual depth. I want to mobilize our churches to serve with compassion and courage—feeding the hungry, advocating for justice, and responding to community needs. Our witness is strongest when our faith becomes action.
I strive to model a culture of welcome, openness and inclusion, where all feel valued and loved. The United Methodist Church’s call to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously is where my hopes are centered.
How do you see the role of lay people evolving in the future of the United Methodist Church?
Lay people are shifting from supporters to co-stewards of the Church’s mission—shaping vision, leading ministries, and serving as spiritual guides in their communities. With diverse experiences and perspectives, laity are vital to reimagining worship, outreach, and discipleship. Their creativity and courage help the Church speak to new generations.
Ministry is expanding beyond the sanctuary. Lay leaders are bringing faith into workplaces, neighborhoods, and online spaces—living out the gospel in everyday life. Laity are increasingly leading spiritual formation through Bible studies, mentoring, and small groups. As their theological understanding grows, so does their ability to nurture others.
The Church’s call to social holiness is being carried forward by lay-led efforts in justice, compassion, and advocacy. Laity remains on the front lines—responding to real-world needs with Christ-like love. As the Church navigates change, lay leaders will help congregations adapt with grace—serving as bridge-builders grounded in tradition and open to transformation.
What Scripture or spiritual practice grounds and sustains you?
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13
That verse—Philippians 4:13—is a powerful anchor. It’s more than a motivational quote; it’s a declaration of divine partnership.
This verse is my spiritual compass – my north star. It reminds me that my strength doesn’t come from titles, talents, or even confidence—it comes from Christ. When I feel uncertain or I am questioning my leadership and things feel rough and uncertain, I return to this promise, I refocus my energies and take strength and comfort in the knowledge that Christ is my sustainer, my strength, my guidance, my hope, love and joy and YES, I can and will do all things through him, through faith. This is a faithful journey I am undertaking.
I recognize God working through me to reach and teach others. I am reminded that Christ has equipped me for the tasks I am given. If I have to lend a listening ear, address a conflict, organize an activity, share ideas or just be present – there is a grace that is within me and it is not just for me but for everyone I encounter. As I go about my daily life, I do my best to maintain God’s presence in me and feel his strength.
Is there anything else that you would like to share that I didn’t ask?
I never imagined I would be in this place, at this moment in time. Yet here I am—grateful, humbled, and aware that God’s hand has been guiding me all along. I believe each of us is on a journey to live out the purpose God has placed within us. Mine has unfolded in ways I didn’t expect, but I trust that every step has been part of His plan.
I am committed to growing deeper in my faith—not just in belief, but in how I live, lead, and serve. The opportunities I’ve been given to walk out my faith in real, tangible ways are not lost on me. They are gifts, and I hold them with reverence.
I am not perfect. I’ve made mistakes, faced doubts, and wrestled with my own shortcomings. But through it all, I have come to know the unwavering love of our Father—a love that sees past my flaws and brings out the best in me. That truth gives me peace and strength. It also reminds me that I am never walking alone (Footprints in the Sand).
I am so thankful for the grace that covers me, the purpose that drives me, and the faith that continues to grow within me. My story is still unfolding. It is one of grace, hope and resilience for the journey.