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The palate never lies: what begins as a taste for teamwork can steer a life. A former Belhaven College women’s soccer player turned ministry professional now combines faith, athletics and communication in a career that spans chaplaincy and sports writing.
She serves with Athletes in Action and contributes to The Christian Athlete. Her work places her inside professional women’s soccer environments in North Carolina. There she ministers to players, attends matches and produces written reflections for a wider athletic audience. Those roles grew from a college experience that fused close community, small classes and daily moments that linger.
Transitioning from student athlete to ministry professional
She joined Athletes in Action after graduating. Her official duties include chaplaincy for a professional women’s soccer team and regular contributions to The Christian Athlete. The chaplaincy offers consistent access to live matches and team life. That access allows her to provide emotional and spiritual support in person. Her writing extends pastoral care beyond the pitch.
The route into this vocation traces back to Belhaven. She earned a degree in education, which refined her teaching and communication skills. Those abilities translated directly into ministry. Belhaven’s smaller classroom sizes and close faculty relationships offered mentorship and space for personal growth. Teammate bonds formed there remain active influences in her professional life.
Why belhaven stood out
She transferred from junior college seeking balance between competitive soccer and rigorous academics. Belhaven’s campus promised smaller classes and an intimate setting. The program delivered athletic challenge and community connection that exceeded her expectations. Faculty engagement and campus scale made deep friendships easier to form.
She still counts several professors and teammates among lasting connections. She returns to campus when possible because it continues to feel like home.
Memories that matter
Rather than recalling a single dramatic moment, she lists a mosaic of daily impressions. Coffee in rocking chairs near the student center, post-practice conversations with teammates and the weekly scent from the cafeteria all became part of campus identity. The buzz of game days and rivalry wins—most notably a victory over Millsaps—remain vivid. These small scenes compounded into a powerful collegiate experience.
Staying connected to soccer
Soccer has not ended; it has evolved. She and her husband play in an adult indoor league in North Carolina to maintain a competitive spark. Her chaplain role keeps her linked to professional soccer. Attending matches and being present for players are core tasks.
This blend of recreational play and professional ministry shows how athletic involvement can persist after college. Lessons from her student-athlete years continue to shape her approach to teamwork, resilience and service.
Teamwork and leadership on and off the field
When asked about the best teammates, she highlights two players who arrived as freshmen in her senior year. They combined technical skill with steady character and lifted the squad through both ability and example. Playing alongside such teammates informed her view of leadership: excellence paired with integrity.
She serves with Athletes in Action and contributes to The Christian Athlete. Her work places her inside professional women’s soccer environments in North Carolina. There she ministers to players, attends matches and produces written reflections for a wider athletic audience. Those roles grew from a college experience that fused close community, small classes and daily moments that linger.0
The long view: community, gratitude, and giving back
She serves with Athletes in Action and contributes to The Christian Athlete. Her work places her inside professional women’s soccer environments in North Carolina. There she ministers to players, attends matches and produces written reflections for a wider athletic audience. Those roles grew from a college experience that fused close community, small classes and daily moments that linger.1
She serves with Athletes in Action and contributes to The Christian Athlete. Her work places her inside professional women’s soccer environments in North Carolina. There she ministers to players, attends matches and produces written reflections for a wider athletic audience. Those roles grew from a college experience that fused close community, small classes and daily moments that linger.2
She serves with Athletes in Action and contributes to The Christian Athlete. Her work places her inside professional women’s soccer environments in North Carolina. There she ministers to players, attends matches and produces written reflections for a wider athletic audience. Those roles grew from a college experience that fused close community, small classes and daily moments that linger.3