By Susan Koehler, Director of Communications

Hi, Britton! We’re excited that you’ve joined us at Trinity, and we’d like to get to know more about you. To start off, can you tell us a little about your background?

I grew up in Orlando, Florida, and attended First United Methodist Church Winter Park since before I can even remember. I grew up with my mother and stepdad; however, he is my dad since I have known him since I was two. I am big into everything having to do with sports, including playing Water Polo in high school. When I was not at school or at home, I was always at church. I was very active in the youth group, and attended many mission trips, youth choir and every retreat possible. Currently my church membership resides at FUMC Orlando, where I worked and attended after graduating from undergrad.

It sounds like you’ve had a lot of experiences with UMYF and other UMC youth functions. What are a couple of your best memories from these experiences? 

Some of my greatest experiences have come from working at Warren Willis camp as a team member. I was on team on camp from 2017-2019 and was supposed to be high school team leader in 2020. One of the best things was being able to give the campers a place to be themselves. Campers came from so many walks of life, and for some of them their week at camp was the best week of the year. Seeing them see that God loves them no matter what, is something that will always be in my mind. The most amazing thing was how they would say I changed their lives; the thing was that it was them that changed my life. Every time I go back to camp, it feels like I am back at home, in a place that shaped my life. 

We understand you’ve recently received your Master of Divinity. Congratulations! Will you share what led to your calling into ministry and what path have you followed in answering that call?

I was in the hospital when I was in eighth grade, and one thing that really stood out is how so many people from the church would come and visit me. Some of them I knew and some of them I did not, but them being there meant the world to me. From that point on, my faith meant so much more to me than just going to church every Sunday. When I got to FSU, this experience led me to pursue a religion major to go along with my international affairs major. During this time, I was very active in the FSU Wesley Foundation. I worked with many community groups, led men’s ministry, and helped with so many other ministries. Every summer I was in school, I went and worked at camp, falling more and more in love with the ministry of service. 

Once I graduated from FSU, I knew I wanted to go to Seminary, so I joined the candidacy process and applied to Seminary. I ended up going to Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. I really dove deep into my calling by taking classes, and I even worked as a Chaplain for a class at the youth detention center. I got a JPACT (Justice, Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation) concentration and a certificate in religious education. During my three years, I knew that once I graduated I wanted to do something with our next generation because children and youth are going to bring the Church back to where it always used to be. That is what brought me to where I am today at Trinity. 

Tell us a little about the experience you’ve had working in a leadership role with kids and families.

When I graduated from college, I worked as a ministry intern at First Orlando. There, one of my big responsibilities was helping with the youth group and children’s ministry. I helped organize volunteers for mission trips and taught Sunday school. For a period of time, when the church was between youth directors, I was one of the people keeping the youth involved. I also was a director of children’s ministries at East Cobb UMC in Marietta. Once of my proudest accomplishments was growing the program from three to fifteen kids in just around a year working there. I took pride in building relationships with the families, as well as making sure I attended youth events. While working at camp as counselors, we were responsible for the lives of children and teens alike. We helped them grow in their relationship with God and showed them that religion and fun aren’t mutually exclusive. 

Our senior pastor often refers to Trinity as “the most exciting church in Tallahassee.” What excites you about coming on board at Trinity UMC?

I am excited to just try and spread wisdom and faith to the next generation. I remember the joy that all my friends from Trinity had about the youth group, and I want to keep that up. I used to come to Trinity when I was at FSU, and I remember how welcoming and spirit-filled everyone was. I am excited to work with a great staff and be around a great congregation. I hope to bring my spirit and joy to Trinity, and I hope that we can continue to carry on a rich tradition. 

We’ve covered a lot of ground in getting to know you, but now it’s time to learn some of the fun stuff. How about a little lightning round with some of your favorites?

Favorite food? Sushi

Favorite dessert? Peanut Butter and Chocolate Cake

Favorite genre of music? Country

Favorite game? Video game is NCAA 25, and UNO otherwise

Favorite holiday? Christmas

Dream vacation? I have been to 13 countries in Europe; however, I would love to vacation in Prague, my favorite city in the world.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Invisibility because it would be fun to play pranks on people

Favorite sport(s) team? Pittsburgh Steelers, Seminoles, Orlando Magic, Orlando City, Real Madrid, Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburg Penguins

Favorite Bible verse?  John 11:35, “Jesus Wept”

Favorite book of the Bible? Esther

Britton, it’s been great getting to know you! We look forward to learning more about your plans for our Trinity youth and watching the great things you’ll do in your new role here. Thankfully, you do NOT have the superpower of invisibility, so we’ll be seeing you around church and we’ll be sure to say hello!