“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” -Jeremiah 29:11
After I became a mom, I knew that I wanted to raise my son in church and for him to have a strong family of faith. When I was growing up, I knew how important my church was to me and what a wonderful impact it had made on my life. After moving to Oklahoma City, I had tried attending several different churches and was growing worried that I wasn’t going to find the right one for us. Then one day a job opportunity was presented to me; I was asked to work in the nursery at a little church in South Oklahoma City, called Asbury. This was during the time that St. Luke’s and Asbury were uniting, and I decided I would give it a try. After all, I hadn’t found a church home, and this would enable my son to be in church and I could make a little extra cash.
When I started working at Asbury I realized it was not like any of the churches I had tried before; it offered far more than anything I could have imagined for us. The congregation took us under their wing, they loved us, helped us and encouraged us. My role as nursery worker soon evolved to Sunday School Teacher, Wednesday Night Alive Teacher, and VBS Director. I felt God pulling me toward children’s ministries during my time at St. Luke’s Asbury. It had never crossed my mind, but He made it very clear at that time, this was my calling.
The people and children at St. Luke’s Asbury hold such a special place in my heart. I will forever be grateful for their love and support. God used that time to prepare me to work full time in Children’s Ministry at our Edmond campus.
Now I can look back and recall where I thought my life was going and the dreams I had for my future, but my present is so much greater than anything I could have imagined. God knew about that road I was travelling and took me on a curve that has blessed my life far beyond measure with my St. Luke’s family of faith.
Taylor Easttom, Director of Children’s Ministry, St. Luke’s Edmond Campus
