By Erik Cave, Director of NextGen Ministries, PacNWC
Enjoy this interview with Amanda Moffat, the new Director of Youth Ministry at Newport Covenant Church
What is your personal and ministry background?
I am originally from Orange County, California and have grown up in the Christian faith my whole life. I developed my own personal faith in the Friends church tradition through the acceptance of Jesus Christ and baptism as a young teenager. My relationship and actions with God have always been extremely intentional and in pursuit of who He is and who I am in Him. Through my time growing up, I have had a passion for learning about Jesus, art, and history which has truly formed my career as well as focus in ministry.
While I grew up in Southern California, I now call myself a true Washingtonian after living in the Seattle area for the past 10 years. I came up to Washington to attend Seattle Pacific University in pursuit of my bachelor of arts in art history while learning in a Christian community. Through my time at Seattle Pacific, God not only guided me to a career in teaching but also introduced me to my husband, Ethan, in which we will be celebrating our 6-year wedding anniversary this September. After 3 years of teaching history at a private school, it was clear that God was calling me away from teaching and to ministry in the church. After months of discernment, God made it clear that I was called to Newport Covenant to serve as the Youth Director as well as go back to Seattle Pacific to receive a Master of Arts in Christian Studies this Fall.
My husband and I live in Lynnwood, Washington with three cats, a tortoise, and 11-year-old goldfish. While we have been attending Newport Covenant for 5 years, my husband has grown up in our church and I am appreciative to serve where he developed his own faith. We are extremely blessed by a supportive church and family through the pivot of careers for myself. God has made it clear through this past year that ministry is what He has made me for and we are very thankful for the clarity that has been provided to us through this time. I am looking forward to devoting my time to serving our youth and in the church after years as a volunteer in my congregation.
What are you passionate about in ministry right now?
While I am extremely passionate about sharing the name and good word of Jesus Christ, I have been recently focused and passionate about helping facilitate lasting faiths in our youth with solid roots of action and understanding of our beliefs. While I have been surrounded by Christians my whole life, I have seen many in my same age group leave the church or stop attending church for many different reasons. I can see the benefits and call to be a part of the church, but why do not others? As I have moved into full time ministry, I have began focusing on how to create a sustainable youth ministry while also help cultivate healthy and vibrant relationships between the youth and their Savior reminding them the importance of the church and their faith. Through solid foundations created in youth ministry, I hope to see young Christians continue engaging in their faith as they move on into adulthood.
How can we pray for you?
As I move into my first full time position in ministry, I ask for prayer to lead with wisdom from God and a smooth transition from congregant to youth director. Prayer for spiritual growth for our students would be very much appreciated since time a part has caused us to struggle on helping build their faith. Our church could also use prayer through the time of separation as it has been difficult to engage individually, especially for the youth and young adults.
Five things you didn’t know about Amanda:
What three traits define you?
Outgoing, Determined, and Creative
Where is your favorite place to be?
I have a couple of favorite places to be or go, especially in the Pacific Northwest. If I need a solid day of relaxing, self-care, and time with Jesus, I love to either go to Whidbey Island or Leavenworth. I, also, LOVE going to Cascades Camp and wish I could go there more often. If it is a rainy day, you could find me at the Seattle Art Museum enjoying one of the exhibits there.
What is your favorite thing to do?
I love to cook and bake, watch television with my husband, and cuddle with our three kitties. If I am feeling creative, I also enjoy coloring and working on different art projects around the house.
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
I have been blessed enough to travel to many places around the world but Rome is still the best place I have ever been. Due to my background in art history, I love being able to walk around every corner and find a piece of history. Plus, the pizza, pasta, and gelato is AMAZING there. I would happily live there for a summer again.
What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Be bold and trust God in EVERYTHING. Looking back as an adult, I wish I was less apprehensive to God’s calls for me but I also know that His timing was perfect for when I did follow through.