My Sermons

Posts with my Sermons:

“The Basics” Matthew 4:12-23 (January 26, 2014, Connections, Clayton UMC)-coming soon

“Family Traditions” Hebrews 10:11-25 (Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 18, 2012, 8:30 service, and November 24, 2013, Traditional Service, Clayton UMC)

“The Disciples’ Questions” Acts 1:1-8 (Memorial Day, May 27, 2012, Connections, Clayton UMC)

“Finding the Answers” Acts 9:1-19 (April 14, 2013, Iotla UMC and Snow Hill UMC-charge; August 25, 2013, 8:30 service, Clayton UMC)-coming soon

“Now What?” Ephesians 1:15-23 (June 1, 2014, 8:30 service, Clayton UMC)

“Membership Perks” Romans 5:1-5 (May 26, 2013, 8:30 service, Clayton UMC)

“A Party with Jesus” Luke 14:1, 7-14 (Septemeber 1, 2013, Connections, Clayton UMC)-coming soon

“The Power of the Word” Luke 7:1-10 (June 2, 2013, 8:30 service, Clayton UMC)-coming soon

“One Thing Among Many” Luke 10:38-42 (July 21, 2013, Connections, Clayton UMC; August 4, 2013, 8:30 Serivce, Clayton UMC)-coming soon

“From Tents to a City” (August 11, 2013, 8:30 Service, Clayton UMC)-coming soon

“That Holy Spirit Moment” John 14:15-21 (May 25, 2014, 8:30 Service, Clayton UMC)-coming soon

Background:

Throughout my life, I have given little devotionals at UMYF, 4-H, retreats, Christian concerts, school, and church. I even had one published in our church’s version of The Upper Room. My most recent devotional was during an overnight school rafting trip. God certainly provided the scenery to encourage us to focus on Him.

My formal preaching began when I was in college studying religion. My first sermon, entitled “The Great Homecoming,” was preached at Bethlehem UMC, my home church in Advance, NC, on Homecoming Sunday. It was based on the scripture where Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-20). I recounted stories from growing up in the church and talked about how wonderful it was to gather together once again and be known. Then I turned my attention to the Great Homecoming in heaven. If we don’t answer Jesus’ question correctly, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God,” we won’t be there. Very simple. Very funny! One man was so moved that he went to the alter following the sermon.

My second sermon was when I was a youth minister at a small United Methodist Church in High Point, NC. I was honored to preach on Youth Sunday. The scripture was the Parable of the Sower. It was a more boring sermon, if you ask me. I talked about historical farming methods and how we should interpret each type of soil in relation to sewing souls for Christ. Instructive, but not very moving or even memorable.

There was a long hiatus as I finished college and graduate school and began a career in education and a family. In the spring of 2012, I began the process to become a Lay Speaker. By May 3, I was a Local Church Lay Speaker. By the end of September, I was a Certified Lay Speaker/Servant. (They decided to change the requirements, so I’m grandfathered in but have to complete 5 additional courses to regain the title of Certified Lay Speaker once the changes go into effect.) As a Certified Lay Speaker in the United Methodist Church, I am qualified to preach in any Methodist pulpit upon invitation or assignment. And I love it!

In the summer of 2013, I began the long process of ordination as a Deacon in Christian Education. I have to take several courses not covered in my MTS. I am pursuing those online through Asbury Thelogical Seminary. I am blessed that God is continuing to use me!

Education:

BS in Religion with double minor in Music (Vocal) and Theatre, High Point University
MTS in Scripture and Interpretation, Harvard Divinity School
Post Graduate Courses, Asbury Theological Seminary
Basic Lay Speaking, Gainesville District of UMC Church
Lay Pastoral Counseling, Gainesville District of UMC Church
Spiritual Gifts, Gainesville District of UMC Church
From Their Heart to Yours (Preaching), Gainesville District of UMC Chruch

Want me to come preach? Or hear me preach?

Contact me at encourageoneanotherdaily@gmail.com