Jennifer Miller | Ruling Elder
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT ALL SOULS?
I've been at All Souls since 2009.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO SERVE AS AN ELDER? HOW DID YOU EXPERIENCE GOD CALLING YOU TO THIS OFFICE?
Since childhood, the church has ministered to me greatly and been such an important component of life. And being a part of All Souls has only increased my love for the church as well as increasing the desire to see Christ's church flourish. I long to see our Christ-honoring community at All Souls impact our larger community in Decatur and the surrounding area. While being an elder is not something I aspired to, I'm humbled and honored to have the opportunity to serve my faith community in this way.
And while there's a certain intimidation that can come with being asked to consider a role like this, God has faithfully provided encouragement along the way to continue nudging me in this direction. I'm thankful for the ways God spoke about this quietly to my own heart through prayer and reflection, but also thankful for the ways He spoke though others in our community to affirm this calling.
WHAT OTHER WAYS HAVE YOU SERVED AT ALL SOULS?
I currently serve as a youth small group leader, a liturgist, and as a member of the meal team. And I dearly love time spent in fellowship with my community group. In previous years, I've also been a Sunday school teacher, helped in the nursery, and served with various local service projects through All Souls.
HOW HAS GOD USED ALL SOULS IN YOUR LIFE?
I came to All Souls after leaving the mission field and was pretty burnt out. I was so incredibly thankful for a space to safely sit and just be fed after a season of pouring so much of myself out in ministry. There are so many things I love about ASF including the various aspects of our weekly worship with liturgy and communion. God has used worship at All Souls to heal some wounded places in my spirit. But the relationships, the years of knowing others, the brand new friendships, the privilege of watching those I taught in K-1 Sunday school go through confirmation and now approach graduation are such a blessing. More than anything, God has used the people at All Souls to shape and refine me.
TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING AND UNEXPECTED ABOUT YOURSELF.
I love traveling and have been to about 30 countries on 5 continents. And, particularly in my 20s, I was always up for an adventure, so I have some pretty interesting travel stories gathered over the years. I'm happy to share about hitchhiking in the Himalayas or my trip to a Venezuelan prison!