Born in San Bernadino, California and raised in Southern California Lisa has enjoyed the beauty and diversity of the state she loves so much. In her early childhood, living on a small farm with her mother, step-father and sister she was surrounded with all kinds of animals, an amazing garden, and horseback riding. It was a great way to grow up!
Lisa also enjoyed visiting with her father and step-mother who lived locally and picked her up for frequent visits. There she rode motorcycles and got into a lot of adventurous trouble with her two brothers.
At age 13 while visiting relatives in Oklahoma she attended a crusade. Upon hearing the message of “love” she received Jesus into her heart that day. Although church attendance was not a regular part of either of her families there was a pull towards God.
After her mothers divorce and going through many crazy changes there seemed to be a greater need to belong and to know God. Because there was no adult direction towards church and as a teen not understanding all of the mixed up feelings inside of her she was swayed to a life of rebellion. Yet deep inside her heart was full of questions and a longing to know God. At sixteen, and now living with her father in Vista she drove to a nearby church in hopes to satisfy this longing in her heart. Not even being noticed by one person she drove away with an emptiness deeper than ever.
Time continued on and trouble seemed to follow. One day she met a young man whom she fell crazy in love for. They lost their senses and any touch of reality. Until Lisa found herself pregnant and seemingly all alone again wondering where was God in the mix? Within the year, she was married and moved to Barstow, California in hopes to start fresh. As a new mother and wife the responsibility caused a change of heart and the search for security, love, and good choices for her baby was at the top of the list.
The small family returned to the area to purchase their first home in San Marcos where God had divinely placed a Christian neighbor. Lisa was invited to a nutritional cooking class held at the Emmanuel Faith Church in Escondido. Almost instantly she fell in love with the people and with this Jesus that they worshipped. At the same time, her father and step-mother had been introduced to Jesus at the Calvary Church in Vista. While attending an Easter Sunday Service in 1988, Lisa went to the front to meet her Jesus! Truly she understood what it meant to be born again as her Master began a greater work than she could have ever imagined. She was delivered from all sorts of worldly desires. Her husband just looked at her and had asked, “What's different about you?”. Her response, “Jesus”! “He has come into my life and freed me, filling me with joy!”
Attending church and being a part of God's work changed her heart and her life. Her parents moved over to the Calvary Chapel in Oceanside. She faithfully followed with her four children in tow. By this time the Lord had blessed her with three sons (Dustin, Daniel, and David) and a daughter (Ashley). There she was welcomed with open arms to the Women's Ministry. The Lord tugged her heart and called her into service immediately. Being a part of the various ministries allowed her to grow and mature in her faith. And although Satan would tear at her household for years to come the Lord was ultimately victorious.
She and her husband, Rick, live in Vista and have been married 24 years. Today, she serves as Women's Ministry Director of Calvary Chapel Oceanside.
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