“I am excited to have someone with Courtney’s experience, spiritual depth, and love for students to serve our youth and their families.” -Mark Acuff, Lead Pastor
Courtney, in her own words: I recently graduated from Beeson Divinity School with a Master of Divinity and received my undergraduate degree in Education and French from the University of Alabama. My husband and I moved to Durham in the fall of 2017 from Birmingham, AL. During my time in seminary I served in the youth ministry of Mountain Brook Baptist Church where I had the privilege to lead junior high girls’ discipleship and teach and preach to the youth group. I have also worked in recreation ministry and taught in public school.
I grew up in the coastal town of Daphne, AL. My husband Timothy grew up across the southeast, but moved to Daphne in high school where we met and started dating. We got married after college and moved to Birmingham so he could complete a Ph.D. in Cancer Pathology at UAB. Now Timothy is a post-doctoral fellow doing breast cancer research at Duke. We have one furry son named Ted who is 8 pounds of love and cuddles!
I like to spend my Saturdays in the fall watching Alabama football. Timothy and I spend a lot of time outdoors hiking and fishing and like to travel. We also love Nashville style hot chicken and great tacos.
I am extremely excited to join in the ministry of the Gathering Church. I feel particularly called to serve in the local church and I desire to see the Gospel reach the next generation of believers. I have always had a passion for working with youth whether it was teaching, working at camps, or in recreation. They bring such a passion to everything they do, and I hope that through the faithful teaching of God’s word they can use that enthusiasm to follow Christ and further His kingdom.
When it comes to ministry, I am particularly passionate about the Biblical narrative – how all of scripture points to the great act of redemption through Jesus Christ. Because God has called believers to participate through community in the Church, I desire that the youth group would not exist in isolation but will participate in the larger community of faith. Christians are called to lead though service. This is especially seen in the ministry of Christ in his care for the widow, the orphan, the marginalized, and the poor. I want the youth at the Gathering Church to model these ideals of purpose, community, and service within the church and in our city.