I was born and raised in a small town called Darlington, South Carolina. I’m second of five kids, and grew up on a small farm out in the country with a bunch of animals. Both of my parents are strong believers. From as early as I can remember, I went to Berean Baptist Church every time the doors were open. Because of going to church, I grew up hearing the gospel, but I didn’t understand what that meant for me personally. I knew I was a sinner (I kind of made a name for myself as a wild child), but the knowledge I could spout off about Jesus dying on the cross for my sins meant nothing to me for the first years of my life. Beginning around ages 7 to 9 I grew terrified of going to hell, to the point where every night I would say a quick prayer of, “Jesus, if I’m not saved, save me now.” One night when I was 9, I finally talked to my parents about being afraid, and that night I asked Jesus to save me once and for all. While I truly believe that was when I became a child of God, I don’t think I understood the importance of living my life for Jesus at that point. I saw salvation as a ticket into heaven, not a relationship. That came later when I was seventeen, having lived the last three years of my life for myself and in sin. God brought me back to Him through allowing me to hit rock bottom, and I repented of my sin and decided to follow God and surrender all parts of my life to Him. That is when I truly began to change and see the fruits of the Spirit in my life.

After that I began cosmetology school, got my license, then started my time at Bob Jones University as a biblical counseling major. My goal is to incorporate my love for hairdressing with my burden to help others know and grow into a loving relationship with Jesus. I met Jeremy Frazor when he spoke at the Anchorage Christian Camp in Lake Waccamaw, NC, where I have counseled for three summers. I have played the violin and piano since I was five years old, and after we talked, agreed to join the team for the fall semester to play the violin and help with the children’s ministry, after which I will finish my last semester of my senior year in the spring. I am so excited that God provided me with this opportunity, and I can’t wait to see what He has in store for us!

~ Lilli