Hi! I’m Stephanie.
I’m originally from the Jersey Shore.
I promise it’s better than TV makes you think.
It looks a lot like this:
I went on the World Race in 2011 after graduating from college. In fact, I changed out of my cap and gown in the car on the way to the airport for training camp! We did ministry in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Albania, Romania, South Africa, Mozambique, eSwatini, Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia. We also got to visit Turkey, Italy, Kosovo, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Qatar, and China. Like many of my colleagues, I’ve been to 35 countries! It’s not why we do this, but it’s a fun perk.
I’m currently employed in the Marketing Department of Adventures in Missions as a Storytelling Specialist. I deeply believe in the power of story for social and personal change. I believe we can raise up a generation to live and tell a good story, inviting others into God’s redemptive narrative in history. Because this whole thing isn’t about us, right? It’s about Him. So by using words, photos, videos, music, etc to share about and celebrate (and often mourn) what’s happening around the world, we’ll see people move towards doing something about it and being a part of it. You know?
I’m deeply passionate about caring for refugees, advocating for the global asylum process, and telling their stories. The above image is from the Lifejacket Graveyard on the island of Lesvos in Greece, which has made the news for years as refugees from the Middle East have arrived on her shores. As followers of Jesus, we must be people of welcome.
GET TO KNOW ME:
1. I am terrified of lobsters, crabs, and any sort of crustacean. I shuddered even typing those words. Something about exoskeletons.
2. I have two bachelors degrees (Bachelor of Science in Bible, Bachelor of Social Work) and am currently enrolled in a Master of Social Work program.
3. My mom died from cancer when I was 11, which was the beginning of me developing a deep compassion for anyone suffering.
4. My favorite country in the entire world is Thailand, with Italy and Kenya grabbing the silver and bronze, respectively.
5. I’m a photographer. I specifically love when photos are grainy and black and white, so my style is definitely an acquired taste.
6. I don’t really have a life verse, but two stand out. When you’ve been through the ringer and some really tough times, Psalm 73’s “my flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” really hits home. See #7 for the next.
7. I’m named after the Stephanos, the Greek word for the crown of victory that Olympians got when they won. Interestingly, in the book of Matthew, when they’re talking about Jesus’ crown of thorns, they use “stephanos” and not “diadema (royal crown), meaning the original readers would see victory even through His death. I love that.
That’s enough for now. More stories to come!
