A Winding road to Ordination

What happens when the calling on your life doesn’t follow a straight line? When your ministry begins with piñatas in Sunday School and detours through broken heels, driveways filled with worship, and a TikTok devotional? This is my story—one full of pivots, prayers, and God’s persistent grace.

Ordination in the Church of the Nazarene can often feel like a long process—and sometimes, it truly is. Once you feel that undeniable call into ministry and others affirm it, the journey begins. For some, there’s a “normal” road: earn a religion degree, receive a Local Pastor’s License, interview for a District License, and two years later, be interviewed for ordination. But for many of us, the path is anything but straight.

People from all walks of life are called by God—doesn’t that blow your mind? He desires to use people of every background, education, and experience. Not everyone has a religion degree or formal training, but they can still be taught, mentored, and equipped to serve and lead others in Christ.

My journey started with a lot of detours. I attended Trevecca Nazarene University but pursued multiple fields—education, computer science, accounting—before circling back to education. Many times, I felt drawn to the Religion department, but I didn’t know what to say or where to begin. Women pastors were around, but they were few and far between, and I didn’t know any personally.

When Frank and I were newly married, we led a 4th-grade Sunday School class. I’ll never forget bringing a homemade pumpkin piñata to class. Frank, an avid softball player, brought in one of his bats for the kids to swing at it—indoors. Let’s just say someone got injured, and Frank ended up tearing it open himself. We were young and learning.

Over the years, we chaperoned countless youth trips and took our entire family to TNT and teen camp. Even before we were in full-time ministry, our kids were being raised in it. In 2014, Frank retired from the Sheriff’s Department and we stepped into the role of Children’s Pastors.

In 2015, we received our first Local Pastors Licenses. Our church board and Pastor Tony Miller saw something in us and believed in our calling. That same year, we left our four kids behind to attend our first Children’s Ministry Conference in Chicago. From Kids Camp to VBS, Teen Camp to Eggstravaganza, our hearts were full.

By 2016, we were being interviewed for our District Licenses. It felt like a big step—now people outside of our local church had to see God’s call on our lives. I’ll never forget being at Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center, all dressed up and nervous—only for my shoe to break moments before my interview. Someone loaned me flip-flops, and that’s what I wore to my first district interview. We shared our story and our hearts, and were granted our District Licenses that year. I started writing my thoughts down for others and began a blog, ButlerPerspective.

Pastor Tony taught us about church planting. We spent many afternoons driving around praying for direction. We sacrificed our Saturday evenings to share God with a fresh community. Though the church plant didn’t last a year, it was a pivotal part of our growth. I preached for the first time at River East and later at Bradenton, where Pastor Herb invited me to speak on a Sunday evening.

In 2017, we transitioned from full-time ministry, and Frank returned to the Sheriff’s Department as an SRO. We joined Coastal Community Church, a portable church that required dedication and planning. Under Pastor Steve Rhoades, we were mentored, stretched, and encouraged. We led children’s and youth ministry and also served in the Young Adult ministry.

In 2018, I attended my first Passion Conference with young adults. That May, I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Trevecca—walking the stage with a broken ankle. In June, my youngest was baptized.

In 2019, both my boys were given Local Pastors Licenses by Steve Rhoades and Coastal Community Church. I completed my Master’s in Religion from Trevecca. I was interviewed for ordination at the next District Assembly. But then, COVID happened.

In 2020, District Assembly was canceled, and ordination was postponed. We found ourselves without a formal ministry. We pivoted again—this time, opening our home for meals and fellowship. Easter found worship happening in our driveway, with my boys leading on a piano and our dear friend Ansley sharing the Word—all online.

2021 was a year of healing. I served weekly with Good News Club at a local elementary school. We made memories as a family, traveled often, and found rest. Frank and I also completed a Freedom Group at a local church.

In 2022, Mission Yth was born. I noticed several churches didn’t have teens going to camp—and I could name ten who needed it. So I reached out, drove them myself, and began forming our own grassroots ministry. We attended district events and listed ourselves under Mission Yth. We also began monthly dinners with college students in our home. In the fall, Frank and I attended the Billy Graham Law Enforcement retreat. It was a great time of connecting and letting go.

In 2023, Pastor Jose Orama invited me to serve as Online Social Media Pastor at Lehigh Acres Nazarene. I preached quarterly, redesigned the website, and managed all social media platforms. After that summer’s teen camp, I leaned fully into house ministry. We started a Girls Bible Study for grades 6–12 and branded our Sunday meals as “Theme Nights with Jesus.” Worshiping in our kitchen with 30 others is something I’ll never forget. We took a group of teens to Gatlinburg for Winter Retreat. I wrote a 7-day devotional and shared it on my blog. I also collaborated with other women leaders and wrote a 40-day Lent Devotional.

By 2024, I was District Licensed again. I was elected NYI President of Events. We celebrated a year of Theme Nights with over 50 people, a water slide, and a cookout. We fell in love with the church at Lehigh Acres and began serving monthly, building relationships with the teens. I attended a Law Enforcement Chaplain training through the Billy Graham organization. I also attended the Women’s Holiness Conference in Texas—rubbing elbows with hundreds of women with a call on their lives was amazing. After that, I came home and started using my TikTok more intentionally, leading daily devotions on the platform.

In 2025, after attending Exponential Conference and Fuel Retreat, Frank and I feel a pivot on the horizon. We sense God calling us to create a unique church—a resource for the local church and a refuge for the struggling non-believer. In Frank’s role as a detective, he often sees the need for practical and spiritual help. We’re still praying and discerning what this new chapter looks like.

This journey has been full of hills and valleys, but through it all, God has been faithful. And as we continue on the path to ordination, we know that His timing, His plan, and His calling are worth every step.