Fall 2019

Meet Jennifer:
NEW DIRECTOR
OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Jennifer Edwards comes
to POP from Texas with a
Bachelor’s Degree in Religious
Education from Concordia
University Texas. Most recently,
she served as a DCE intern
in Slovakia with Mission of
Christ Network and brings a
unique knowledge of crosscultural
missions. She grew
up in northern Texas after
moving from Canada with
her parents, two sisters, and a
brother. She is the proud aunt
of two very cute nephews!
Read on to get to know
Jennifer a little better:
What's your favorite Bible story
or verse?
Jennifer Edwards: Romans 8:31-39.
What comfort knowing the deep
personal relationship we are able
to have with God because of the
sacrifice of Jesus!
Who have been some of the most
influential people in your life?
JE: I am blessed to have many
people in my life who have been
influential in different ways. The
associate pastor at my home church
while I was growing up was the first
person who encouraged me to go
into ministry and began walking
with me on the journey towards
becoming a DCE. The DCE intern
during my senior year of college
became a confidante as I faced
the many fears and unknowns of
college and was a light of hope for
the future of the youth program at
my home church. Most recently, the
pastor at the church where I served
in Slovakia was an amazing example
of a genuine, selfless, passionate
church leader and allowed me the
ability to heal from some past hurts.
These are just a few people who
were there during very big points in
my faith journey.
How did you know God was
leading you to accept the call to
Prince of Peace?
JE: There were two big reasons that
I felt God was leading me to accept
the call to Prince of Peace. First, it
was the only interview I walked away
from actually feeling good about!
Second, despite the nerves and
fears I had of moving to a new place,
I felt peace about the decision.
What do you love most about
youth ministry?
JE: I was always taught that ministry
is about relationships. Throughout
my experiences in college and
overseas, I have come to believe in
that whole heartedly. My plan is to
build a foundation with POPTeens
through my relationships with
the youth and their parents. My
prayer and hope is to be a friend
and support in life with the youth,
both spiritually and otherwise, and
continue the work to build on the
wonderful, existing foundation.
Is there anything else you want
people to know about you?
JE: I LOVE to travel!! If you talk to
me for any extended time, I am
sure some story from some trip I
have been on will come up in the
conversation!
Any parting thoughts or words of
wisdom?
JE: Since fall arrived and I am
personally in a season of change, I
thought I’d share a quote with you
that I have found comforting and
encouraging:
“The trees are about to show us
just how beautiful it can be to let
things go.”
8 PRINCE OF PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH | FALL 2019