World Vision

I believe there are several factors that would enable me to be an asset to World Vision. First, I have been fortunate enough to to have grown up in a Christian home where the truths of Gods word were faithfully shared. At the age of six during a childrens church invitation at Shiloh Hills Baptist Church a volunteer led me through a sinners prayer;and I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. A few weeks later during a church service led by the evangelist Tim Maharis I told my mother that I sensed a call to be a missionary in Africa. I am greatful that Jesus has chosen to pursue a relationship with me. Throughout the seasons of my life because the principles of the word of God were instilled in my heart and mind as a child;and I have been able to return to these guiding principles that are the foundation for the man I have become today. In 2010 I went through a Hope Mentor process through Buckhead Church where I have been able to replace many false beliefs that had stunted my walk with Jesus Christ over the years with the truths about my identity in Christ. It is my utmost joy to proclaim that Jesus Christ is my savior.





Although I have not earned a degree I believe each major I have been involved in prepares a student to pursue any number of helping professions. I have taken several upper level classes in social work,psychology,womens studies and theological studies throughout my college career. This year I attended Liberty University. My course work has shaped my perspective in a way that causes me to be aware of the injustices that exist.





I have worked at Publix Super Market for a total of twelve years. Publix is one of the premier food retailers in the world,and is time and again considered one of Fortunes top 100 places to work. You may be asking how does all of this relate to World Vision? Publix is not just a grocery store because the focus of the Publix mission is customer driven. At Publix it is our desire to satisfy the customer at all costs. I realize this message has been taught and modeled so well over the years it has just become second nature to me. I believe my work at Publix would prove to be a vital asset and skill set when working at World Vision. The Publix mission of excellence can translate well into any helping profession. The desire to serve the guest(or those in need) at Publix has been successfully instilled in me. In fact about a month ago I was able to find a product for a customer after she had already left the store. When I found her gettting in her car I gave her the product free of charge. The next day a coworker told me the same customer let her know that she is new in the area,but plans to only shop at our store because I simply chose to honor the ethos of customer focus,customer satisfaction. The next week the customer told me "You know how to respond to people." I believe I am customer focused, and as I enter my fourth year at the Buckhead Publix I have noticed that many customers know me by name,and this is encouraging to me. I hope they are able to see Publix as a little better place through our efforts to please our guests. I have realized that I can exhibit qualities of leadership without being recognized as a manager. Over the past ten years of working at a premier supermarket it has caused me to realize the great division that exists among the rescources throughout the world.We are so blessed,but the varied food selection seems to be almost wasteful in light of those who will go without.

I had a profound insight when I was able to see the special needs of customers all around me. I had to ask myself as a follower of Jesus Christ do I even care? I thought if I cannot serve here how could I serve with World Vision? So over the past few years I have made it my mission to recognize specific needs as they occur,and choose to meet those needs in the best manner possible. The particular Publix I work at is eclectic in a way that no other Publix is. We have such an influx of Europeans who move to Atlanta,and their children attend the International School. I have come to realize the demographics of the store are phenomenol if you are interested in missions. I find this particular store is much like the world passing through on a microcosmic level,and I find reaching out to so many different people in the community inspiring. I have learned in my community that great wealth truly does exist;but through volunteering at Buckhead Christian Ministry which is an organization that provides assistance to the working poor I see that such great wealth is not true for so many who are struggling to make ends meet;and I find this to be troubling.



Lastly,I experienced challenging medical circumstances in 1999. I was able to move through a process of healing ,and I can point to those circumstances as defining momements which shaped a personal mission statement when I came to the realization that in healing our brokenness it can produce a fertile bed from our pain within to be poured out in healing the lives of others. Only when we get to this place,albeit a result of tragic circumstances can this be understood and for others.