Meet Pastor Karolyn..... 

I still remember that day in high school, a day that had more significance to it than I realized at the time. We were sitting in the computer lab as seniors doing a "career assessment test." I remember hitting the "done" key after I had just answered a hundred questions about myself and waiting for the results of what this computer believed I should choose for my future career.

Blip!  The top five responses came up on the screen. I can't remember any of the other lines except the one that said, "Rabbi, Priest, or Minister." Now, obviously the first two were out for me, but a minister?!! NAWWWW!!! Not me!!! I just busted up laughing until I realized how many people had turned around to look at me.

A minister?? Seriously?? At the time it seemed crazy, but as time passed, more and more little pieces of that calling came into my life made it clear. Yes, ministry.

Not fully understanding this call, in faith, I enrolled in a religious studies program at Northwest Nazarene University. The calling became more and more clear through my studies and the wonderful mentors that encouranged me along the way. At the end of my college years, I decided to go to Nazarene Theological Seminary for further studies. And after meeting and marrying Joel, and having our first child, I graduated with a Master of Divinty with an emphasis in chaplaincy.

Joel and I were called to the Coal Valley church as co-pastors, and we've been here ever since. God has been faithful to us and has brought us through many different situations. It only takes a few reminders to know that God is faithful to those who answer his call. And no matter when or what that call might be, or maybe even how funny it might seem at the time, we have to say, "Yes."  

It's only when we can say, "Yes" that we begin to see God's will unfold before our eyes, and we wait for the days when we can look back and say, "Wow! Look at what God has done!" God has already done so much, I can only wait to see what the future holds!