I grew up in the Presbyterian Church (USA), though as a child, I didn’t fully understand what that meant. To me, church was simply church—a place I went on Sundays to spend time with friends and my more-than-blood family. It was a gathering of people I loved deeply and a time set aside to worship God.

I began attending church regularly in late elementary school and was baptized at eight years old in my backyard pool, surrounded by my church family.

Middle school was when my faith truly became my own. I attended a Lutheran middle school where, for the first time, I studied religion as an academic subject. I fell in love with the material, discovering the rich history and depth of Christianity far beyond what I had learned in Sunday school.

It was during this time that my 8th-grade religion teacher recognized something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself. She saw a pastoral spirit and named my gifts, mentoring me as I explored my faith. Under her guidance, I preached my first sermon at fourteen years old, and in that moment, I knew: I was called to be a pastor.

In high school, I attended a Catholic all-girls school where my spirituality blossomed. I leaned into religious studies and became the Student Director of Retreats, developing a deep love for contemplation and reflective practices. I found joy in creating intentional spaces for encounters with the Divine.

Despite my love for pastoral ministry, I entered Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego as a Psychology major, feeling called to care for others and considering a future as a therapist.

Everything changed during a preliminary “Christian Vocation” course. After class, my professor pulled me aside and said, “Emily, you didn’t stop smiling the entire time. Come walk with me—I want to hear your story.”

As I shared my journey and passion for ministry, my professor encouraged me to switch my major to Christian Studies, reminding me that “pastoral care and counseling is a thing!” On October 7, 2017, I made the switch, and from that moment, I knew that becoming a pastor was God’s calling for my life.

After graduating in 2021, seminary was the natural next step. The Holy Spirit led me away from California and into the Northeast, where I’ve spent the past four years at Princeton Theological Seminary. Thirteen years after preaching my first sermon, my pastoral calling remains as vibrant as ever.

Thanks be to God for this call—and I am humbled and honored to answer.

If you would like to access my Statement of Faith please do so here: