Sara grew up in several states before graduating high school in Santa Fe, NM. In 2005, she graduated from McMurry University, in Abilene, TX with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and political science. Sara completed her Master of Divinity from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO in 2019. In 2024 Sara completed her Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives through George Fox University (Portland Seminary) in Portland, OR.
Sara has served in full time ministry with the United Methodist church since 2008. Prior to beginning her role as a Congregational Resource Minister for the Montana West District and Lead Pastor at Three Forks and Willow Creek UMC she served 6 years as Director of Missions and Outreach including College Ministry at First UMC of Lubbock, TX (2016-2022). Sara served as Director of Christian Education including Children’s and Family Ministry at St. Luke’s UMC, Lubbock, TX for seven years (2008-2014) and as Program Director at Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center, a United Methodist Camp, in Glen Rose, TX (2014-2016).
Sara has a passion for serving others, writing, and speaking. In 2016 Sara worked on a joint publication as a Curriculum Writer. Sara wrote the Intergenerational/Family & Day Camp Resources in “Beyond Belief” for InsideOut Christian Resources for Outdoor Ministry- Published by Chalice Press- Release Date 2018. Sara is looking forward to writing her own book next.
She is an innovator and visionary who looks to find empowering and dignity-restoring ways of sharing the love of Christ while addressing the needs of the communities she is planted in.
Sara’s doctoral research looked at ways to address the needs of experienced leaders who have experienced burnout or leadership trauma and have lost their creativity and capacity for risk-taking. Her final project uses play, community, cohort learning, and experiential retreats to help leaders move from survival to thriving and empowered to lead and take risks.
Beyond her work and ministry, Sara dreams of growing her family through adoption, kayaking with Orcas, traveling in an RV across North America, and visiting all 7 continents.
Sara is married to Aaron, and they have two amazing children, Carson and Kennedy Grace. Together they love to go on adventures and find joy in the everyday moments of being a family.
