I first moved to the Northland in 2001 to attend college at Bemidji State University. What I thought would be a two year stay concluding with a transfer to finish college elsewhere has transpired into something totally, beautifully, crazily, wonderfully different than what I could have ever planned…
Even coming to Bemidji in the first place was not on my radar when I was weighing through options during high school. I was in the midst of applying for a totally different school in the Twin Cities area. But in one weekend, that all changed. (A story for another day.)
Two things I have learned time and time again as the journey ever unfolds:
1. God’s plans are exceedingly better than any I ever try to make on my own.
2. Prepare to be surprised.
Ok, just kidding. Make that three.
3. God IS faithful. Very much so.
All three have become more and more evident since moving “up North” in 2001, which by the way I’ve been in the Northland since. (surprise!) Rather than transferring colleges, I stayed and competed a Psychology degree at Bemidji State and continued to grow in love for this area.
I did spend a season in another area of the 218, Duluth, for five years while working with campus ministry in the Twin Ports. Then in 2010, the road was clearly marked to make a move back to beautiful Bemidji. (again – surprise!)
Especially since returning, God has been growing a love in me for the city of Bemidji, the surrounding region, and the beautiful people here.
The last nine years have been an ebb & flow and combination of many things — from PCA to campus ministry to office secretary to school of ministry — to name a few. All the while a whole lot of learning and growing and healing have been occurring in the midst of it all.
In April of 2018, I was ordained as a Pastor under my home base church family in the Bemidji area, Becida Community Church – now named River City Church, Bemidji. This has greatly affirmed what’s been on my heart for a number of years and has been a launching point into a new season as I continue to invest time, energy, and resources in alignment with the calling on my heart to serve in this region. In a nutshell, I am a full time missionary in the 218 region.
While my time is spent in a variety of ways with a variety of people, there are five main areas on which I focus:
1. Worship leading and empowering others in the same
2. Prayer/Intercession and raising others up in these giftings and passions
3. Building bridges and relationships among this region and state for the sake of unity and honoring partnerships to see God’s transforming work grow and expand
4. Investing into people’s journeys to and with Jesus – I especially have a heart for women
5. Calling out, inspiring, and equipping people in their God given identity and purpose
My aim in each of these areas is to love the 218 region well with God’s love, truth, and transformation and to equip & empower others in the same.
I desire to see this region know the goodness of God and see people activated in their true identities and authority in Christ. I am excited, hopeful, and seeking God’s heart for this adventure that continues to unfold.
To learn more about what God is doing in this region or invest prayerfully or financially into ministry here, simply fill out the form below with your name and email or click the Support Team link here or at the bottom of this page. I’d be honored to connect with you as this journey continues!
With that, I’ll end with my favorite way to end –
You are loved. You are valued. You are changing the world.
~Suzanne
ignitedhope.wordpress.com 