I’ve know Ms. Ginny almost as long as we’ve lived in Washington, Il. She’s the type of person that everyone loves because of her kind heart and love of laughter. She has taught all of my children (so far) in the preschool she teaches at in her church and she’s encouraged my pastor’s wife heart so many times in that drop off line, saying she gets it as I’m sometimes leaving my kids in a whirlwind of a mess. I’ve seen her stand strong and firm in the face of adversity as I served alongside her in our community after a natural disaster and it’s my honor and privilege to share part of Ms. Ginny with you.
- Where did you grow up? How did where you grew up contribute to preparing you for life in small-town pastoral ministry?
Answer: I grew up in Carmi, Illinois, a small town (5,000) in the southeast part of the state. As it turns out, the church I grew up in is very similar in size to the three churches Jeff and I have served in. We had no more than two staff members – we have had two to three staff members at one time, here. In our size churches, the “small-town community feel” exists. We cannot know everyone “well” but we try! We become family and eagerly look out for one another, as we also try to connect with the neighbors and friends around us.
- Where have you served in ministry? Can you describe the particular culture in those areas and how that affected your ministry there?
Answer: We have served in High Point, North Carolina, Grayville, Illinois, and here in Washington, Illinois. High Point was a “small-town” feel in a much bigger town/city. (75,000) It was fairly spread out though, with neighborhoods all over, in different parts of the city. It was a harder job to connect with people groups – different school systems, location, etc. Even though Illinois and North Carolina are miles apart each place we have served has had a “southern hospitality” feel. High Point and Grayville, even had the slower pace feel, which is somewhat different than Washington. Washington has a lot going on for its size. And this is a GOOD thing – but there are a lot of churches here offering a lot of opportunities. But there still remain a lot of unchurched people.
3.How did God bring you to a place of serving in small-town/rural ministry? Did you have any sort of “calling” in this? If so, describe the circumstances.
Answer: Jeff was a Youth Minister while we were in North Carolina, moving there after college. He soon learned – this was not his calling. After a time, we earnestly began to pray for our next ministry – and being from Illinois – we wanted to branch out! So the prayers were – “Anywhere but Illinois, God – we will go anywhere!” He sent us to Illinois. But it has been so worth it. And yes, we are in circumstances much like we grew up in.
4.How did God bring you and your husband together to serve in this way?
Answer: We met in college…..Jeff had visions of becoming a pastor like his hometown preacher. This man was a great influence in his life. I went to college to truthfully find out what it was God was leading me to do. I was open to whatever that seemed to be. We met, dated and got married! Even during school, we had many occasions to travel for the college and sing together and for Jeff to preach/teach.
5. Did you have any particular areas of ministry in which you served in your church and community and what led you to those decisions?
Answer: I have led Women’s Bible studies, children’s choirs and programs, taught Sunday school – younger ages, have led in Youth Group activities and Vacation Bible School. I have taken a variety of roles in our Women’s Group, kitchen/meal preps, choir and praise teams. I am presently blessed, blessed to be able to continue as a Preschool teacher in our Preschool at WCC. I will begin year #18 in August. In community roles, I have worked in the past with fund
raisers, community choirs, many school volunteer roles with and for our children. I enjoy serving with others and working together. I am not a loner and feel that I am better at serving alongside rather than being the one in charge. Like most people, I do the things that I enjoy and have been pushed as well beyond my comfort zone on occasion.
6. What has been one of your greatest challenges in this ministry context and how did you persevere in it? What did God teach you through it?
Answer: A big challenge in this ministry, possibly because of size, but not always – is the feeling that once you take on a position, it becomes yours and no one else comes along later to take a turn. There are times you find yourself filling a role, or doing a job, just because it needs to
be done. When I have found myself there, especially over a long term, I have prayed for help! And help has come! I have also set a time when I would no longer be able to continue in the role. A good suggestion: when you know there is an end in sight, and a chance to try something else – a lot of the pressure goes away. I also feel that during all of the above – God is teaching me to stop complaining, to serve with grace, and to look for His help to find the joy in serving – no matter the circumstances.
7. What has been one of your greatest blessings in this ministry context and how has that affected your perspective of small-town and rural ministry?
Answer: One of the greatest blessings of this ministry are the connections you make with people! When you involve yourself with others, the possibilities are endless! Whether you are
working with someone or “helping” someone, there can be a lot of unexpected joys. Just recently, two ladies, both of whom grew up in our church, and one who attended here for several years, and has moved – shared with us how strong their connection still is to this church . . . what a strong foundation and community they received here and how much it still influences their lives. I was blown away and also proud for our church, to know that we can and do make a difference!
8. If you could give a piece of advice to other rural and small-town pastors’ wives, what would it be and why?
Answer: Ah . . . In this world of bigger and better, most of us have struggled at some point with where we are……and why aren’t we like___________ – that other church . . . and why did this and/or that family leave for another church . . . and why aren’t we noticed . . . Then you find yourself being exactly what someone needs, exactly where you needed to be, at the right (me, the person who listened when no one else would; you receive a note thanking you for help you
did not realize you gave, and so on) Serve where we are . . . until God shows us a reason to serve elsewhere. Everyone deserves to be noticed and cared for – whether they are in a group of hundreds or thousands, or fifty. I would pray for and strive to be content.
