As someone passionate about working with children, I deeply believe that early childhood education and ministry shape young lives. During these formative years, children develop the values, attitudes, and behaviors that influence their future decisions, relationships, and faith. I feel called to ministry because of the unique opportunity it offers to guide children in their spiritual and personal growth. Children’s Ministry is a powerful opportunity to cultivate resilient faith in the lives of young people. Yet, a majority of children’s ministry leaders (56%) agree that children’s ministry is often forgotten by their church. To shine a light on this important work, Barna partnered with Awana to study children, families, and resilient faith in a rapidly changing world. Their research, outlined in the report Children’s Ministry in a New Reality, calls for reframing “children’s ministry” as “child discipleship” and highlights that disciplining children must be a shared effort across the entire church. This vision aligns perfectly with my dream of creating a nonprofit children’s enrichment center(Olive Branch Ministries) that combines education, mentorship, faith formation, and discipleship. This center would be a safe and inspiring space where children can explore their interests, develop their talents, and grow in their relationship with God. Programs would incorporate current research in child development and educational psychology, ensuring they meet children’s developmental needs. Storytelling, play-based learning, and faith formation would help children not only learn biblical principles but also nurture their emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. Discipleship would be the heart of every program. Inspired by Barna and Awana’s research, the center would prioritize raising resilient leaders who are prepared for faith-filled adulthood. Mentors and church members would work together to model Christlike behavior and create relationships that empower children to feel valued and understood. These efforts would plant seeds of faith and hope that last a lifetime, equipping children with the tools to navigate life’s challenges and fulfill their God-given purpose. My work with children has shown me how transformative it is to be a role model and mentor. I’ve seen firsthand how children thrive in environments where they feel safe, loved, and supported. As a mother of a 4-year-old autistic son, my personal experience has also shaped my desire to serve children in ministry. Finding churches and nonprofit organizations with ministry programs that adequately support autistic children has been a challenge. Many programs lack the resources, training, or understanding to create inclusive spaces where children with autism feel welcome, understood, and engaged. This gap in services is one I feel called to address. I am passionate about creating inclusive ministry environments that support children with diverse needs, particularly children with autism and other developmental challenges. Every child deserves a space where they can learn about God’s love, grow in their faith, and be an active part of the church community, regardless of their abilities. My goal is to help design programs that meet the unique sensory, emotional, and developmental needs of children with autism, to create an environment where all children feel included, valued, and able to experience God’s love. I am excited to use my education, personal experiences, and passion for children’s ministry to serve the next generation inspiring them to grow in faith, confidence, and a passion for service. I want to create spaces where children can explore their God-given gifts, feel empowered to pursue their dreams, and know that they are deeply loved by God. My prayer is that this journey will honor God, bring hope to others, and leave a lasting legacy of disicipleship for generations to come.

About four years ago, I was going through a really tough time managing my mental health. There was a constant, heavy burden on me, and it was unsettling in my soul. I realized I had shifted my focus away from my faith, away from God and was struggling. I was spiraling out of control, hearing negative thoughts, and no one seemed to be able to help. Looking back, I believe this isolation was a reminder from God that I should turn to Him for help and healing. During this time, my friends couldn't even pray for me because they were also overwhelmed. So, I had to rely on my faith in God. I knew that by being dedicated, determined, and disciplined I could overcome anything. I began to read and study the bible every day. It was as if God was talking to me through the words, showing me what I needed to change about myself to save my soul. I learned to replace my negative thoughts with scripture about how God sees me. I realized that I am loved and valuable in His eyes. Slowly, I started to rebuild myself. I used positive affirmations and spent time in prayer and worship. It was a slow process, but it taught me to be patient and to trust in God. At the time, I did not realize how strong I was, I felt faint when I walked. I thought I was going to die. I wanted to skip past the process, but God knew I needed to be refined. It is a pain that I will always remember, and I never want to lose sight of God again. As I began to heal, God would reveal to me a glimmer of hope. Some days I felt great, it was as if God was showing me that He was pleased with my progress and the change He saw in me. This act of love from God strengthened my faith and motivated me to want to continue pressing on until I was completely free and healed. I believe I was able to persevere through this storm by encouraging myself and keeping the faith, and it changed me for the better. I now have a new perspective on life. I know that even when things seem tough, God is working things out for my highest good. I'm grateful for even the small problems because I've learned that through prayer, God answers in His own time. My mental health was a challenge I overcame that strengthened my faith and showed me that I can get through any challenge with God's help. I firmly believe that God didn't heal me just for my benefit. He healed me so I could be a source of hope and healing for others. As I move forward, I'm excited about making a positive impact in my community. I am involved in my church’s outreach ministry and have faith that my heart for prison ministry will help heal, restore and make disciples in the world. I aim to see others the way God sees them and not based upon their circumstances. The most important thing to me is that sharing my own story of healing can serve as a miracle for someone else. I am grateful that my mental health challenge was where I rekindled my faith and found healing. This journey has transformed me into a stronger and more resilient woman. I now aspire to be a source of hope, restoration, and healing for others, inspired by my own experience.

Thank you for considering my application for this scholarship opportunity. I am excited to share a little about myself and my aspirations. I am currently a 1st-year graduate student at The King’s University, pursuing a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Throughout my academic journey, I have been dedicated to maintaining a 3.7 GPA while also participating in various extracurricular activities such as volunteering at local community centers and participating in organizational assessment focus projects related to local churches. I am also a member of the Honor Society for graduate students. After completing my graduate degree, I plan to start a non-profit organization. This organization will focus on providing resources and tools to help incarcerated women successfully reintegrate back into society. The idea for this organization came from my personal experience working with incarcerated women. During my time volunteering at a ministry outreach center, I saw first-hand the challenges and barriers these women face when they are released back into society. Many of them lack the necessary resources and support to successfully reintegrate, leading to high rates of recidivism. Olive Branch Ministries aims to fill this gap by providing a range of services to help incarcerated women successfully transition back into their communities. These services will include job training, educational programs, mentorship, counseling, and assistance with housing and basic needs. Our goal is to empower these women with the tools they need to become self-sufficient and lead productive lives. I believe that my academic and community involvement experiences have prepared me well for this career path. In addition to my academic and career pursuits, I have always been passionate about giving back to my community. I have volunteered at various organizations such as the local food bank and centers for critically ill children and their families. I believe that it is important to give back to those in need, and I plan to continue doing so throughout my life. One of my most significant achievements to date is becoming the first member of my family to earn a college degree. Unfortunately, my mother passed away while I was still in school, and she did not have the opportunity to witness my graduation. Despite this loss, my mother's teachings and values have remained with me, instilling in me a strong work ethic and an unwavering faith in my abilities. With a humble spirit, I have persevered through challenges and have been blessed with many opportunities in life. I am confident that I will continue to achieve great things by staying resilient and determined while trusting the process of life. If awarded this scholarship and able to pay down my student loans, it would provide significant relief to my financial burden and allow me to allocate those funds toward other important aspects of my life. Firstly, it would enable me to invest in my personal and professional growth by attending workshops, seminars, and networking events that could enhance my skill set and expand my career opportunities. Secondly, it would allow me to pursue my passion for volunteering and giving back to the community by contributing to various non-profit organizations and causes that align with my values. Lastly, it would provide me with the financial stability to build a strong foundation for my future, including saving for a down payment on a home or investing in a retirement fund. Reducing my student loan debt would not only provide immediate financial relief but also open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth while allowing me to give back and secure my future.

Living the life of my dreams is something that I visualize daily. I would be able to work from home full-time and take care of my 6 children. I am currently working full-time now while pursuing a graduate degree and trying to balance my home and work life. It does get hard sometimes because I am being pulled in so many different directions. I would love to be able to be home and have a delicious hot cooked meal ready for them when they come in from school. In my dream life, I would be able to focus on my children full-time. Time and money are the things that are scarce in my life now. I try my best to split my time between all of my commitments and responsibilities so that I am present for my children but it sure would be nice to be able to live a life where I had some consistent help. I can only pray for their father to be able to provide for them and have faith knowing that God loves to restore relationships in his perfect timing. Living my dream life would consist of us being able to co-parent with the best interest of our children in our hearts. I also see myself living my dream life of wealth - having the material things in life so I can give my children the best of what they need as well as afford the finer things in life. Taking mission trips with my family to serve and give back to other families in another country is a dream of mine that I envision. Living my dream life also consists of being able to give to others less fortunate more often. We would be able to sponsor families like we were sponsored by families and churches when my children were younger and struggling- especially during back to school, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Being in good health physically and mentally to be able to enjoy living my dream life is a must. Lastly, I would love my mother to be here in the physical to guide me through life with her wisdom, encouragement and patience. She taught me at a young age about goals and dreaming big. I lost her at the age of 23. She is an integral part of why I have kept pushing throughout life. My faith and hope have helped me persevere in life despite my shortcomings. I am grateful to be able to visualize my dream life and I know that with hard work and trusting the process of my life, with each passing day, I am one day closer to living the life of my dreams.

My best back to school tip is to always engage with your professors. The best way to earn a A is to do the work. If you have difficulty in a class, always reach out to your professor to let them know. They will offer some help to get you moving in the right direction. If you do not have a passing grade after the 1st assignment, that is the time to reach out. If you reach out about your grade early in the semester it is for the best. Once the semester is almost over, it will be too late to pass the class. Always remember a teacher/professor will not fail you if you are making a effort to do the work and communicating with them on a regular basis about the classwork.

I love superfoods because they are nutritious for you and they taste good. They contain so many vitamins and minerals that are imperative to cell restoration and fueling. I believe that any fruit or vegetable, nut or seed is a superfood. Each one contains all the vitamins and minerals the human body needs to replenish itself daily. All of these foods have the power to heal the body weather in juice form or solid. Superfoods give me so much energy and I always receive compliments as to a natural glow on my skin. My face is clear of blemishes and my oral health is great. Superfoods will aid to healing the body better than medicine. A simple change in diet and some self discipline can go a long way to reverse any disease in the body. If you eat or juice superfoods consistently you will see results in 24 hours as the body begins to start the repair process. What a wonderful way to heal the body naturally. My favorite superfoods are beets. They help regulate blood pressure and are rich in iron. Iron moves all nutrients throughout the body to help reach all organs. Celery reduces inflammation and aids to hydrate. I drank beet juice and celery juice when I had type 2 diabetes and it was reversed in 2 weeks. Carrots help with eye health. I dink it as a juice. Walnuts are great for memory in the brain. Blueberries are great antioxidant for the body great for mental clarity. I eat them as a snack along with walnuts. Spinach is great hot or cold. I put it in a smoothie with fruits. Chia Seeds are excellent. I make a Chia seed gel by mixing with water and letting it soak overnight. I add the gel to smoothies and it is a great way to get more fiber in my diet as well as bulk up my stool so elimination is smooth. I love hemp seeds as well. They are a great nutty flavor, lots of fiber and no carbs. I use hemp seeds in my smoothies and in my blended tea/coffee. I also use hemp seeds in my fresh pressed juices. Kale is another superfood I enjoy. I prepare salads with kale and also prepare it as a side dish for Sunday dinners I will always incorporate superfoods in my diet daily. I am planning on planting a garden in my backyard in the near future so that I can have these superfoods readily available .

I am working/planning to address my current student loan debt by not applying for more student loans while in graduate school. When I was studying to obtain my undergraduate degree. I received 8 loans. Totaling 67,000 with interest. I have not been in default because I managed to pay toward my debt or was in a repayment status resulting in good standing for repayment. I am now pursing my master's degree and would like to pay for tuition with scholarships and grants. I have worked for a church during and after my undergraduate study. Once I graduate I would like to continue my career in ministry, with a concentration in Women's Ministry. I was made aware that forgiveness for my undergraduate loans is not possible because my ministry work was prior to 2007- when the Student Loan Forgiveness Act was signed. Even though this was disheartening to myself and I'm sure others in the same situation, I will continue to press forward knowing that God is working out all things for my highest good. Making great grades and keeping my GPA above 3.0 in graduate school allows me to apply for as many scholarships as I can with higher award amounts. Those higher awards will help me reduce my student loan debt even further because any amount awarded over my tuition balance I will apply to my student loan debt. I plan to continue this method throughout my graduate studies in order to address my student loan debt. I will not add to by debt with more student loans while in graduate school. I know that once I begin my ministry after graduating I will be able to contribute to reducing my student loan debt until my balance is zero or my student loans are forgiven. I am now working at a job that will reimburse me a percentage of my tuition. If my scholarships do not cover all of my tuition and I have to resort to paying out of pocket for tuition, it will still be less money than having to take out a graduate level student loan to pay tuition. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have been blessed with in order to pursue my master's degree totally debt free. As long as I put in the work it will take to maintain excellent grades, apply for scholarships and grants, and stick to my plan above, I will see and benefit from my student loan debt paid in full.