Debbie Taylor, who works at Wilmington University and serves in our women’s ministry, is loving being a first-time grandma. Read on to get to know this wonderful lady.
Debbie, where do you live and what community group do you attend?
I live in lovely North Wilmington, DE, and I attend the Spitales’ community group. And what a wonderful community it is! God has blessed us so much with this sweet fellowship with these sweet people!
Where did you grow up?
Well, my dad is a preacher, and he loved helping weak churches and starting new ones, so I grew up in Fruitland, MD, Salisbury, MD, Mattoon, IL, and Cambridge, MD.
When and how did you start coming to the Covenant Fellowship Church?
We were new to the area and had not found a church that felt like home until one of my husband’s students told him about Covenant. We visited and never left. We’ve been here since 2003. We’re home!
Can you tell us about your family?
Oh, dear, I could go on and on with this one. Scott and I have two amazing children. Hilary is married to Aaron and they attend Covenant. Evan is married to Amber. They have blessed us with our first grandchild, Vivian. What a blessing our family is! And how wonderful it is to be a Mimi!
Do you have an interesting family tradition?
Traditions have changed as the kids have gotten married, but a fun new tradition we started three years ago is to go on an annual family tent camping weekend. We’ve tried the Poconos and the beach, and all agree that it’s the Poconos from now on.
What is your most embarrassing moment?
Oh my word, there are so many! One of the most recent is when I hopped in the car waiting for me at the grocery store only to realize it wasn’t my husband and it wasn’t our car. Oops!
Tell us about your job.
I have an amazing job at Wilmington University. I manage the Student Success Center. We offer face-to-face tutoring, online tutoring, a peer mentor program, seminars – lots of different free services for our students to help them on their road to graduation.
Can you list “five favorites in five words”?
Granddaughter, chocolate, antiques, compassion, fellowship.
What ministries do you serve in at CFC and how have you have seen God work in one of those ministries?
Explore, greeters team, women’s ministry, and prison ministry. In the prison ministry, I have seen God work through the scripture and lessons to bring encouragement and peace to women in the prison. He gives us opportunities to touch these precious lives with His love, hope, and faithfulness.
What are you currently studying and learning in your devotional times?
In addition to following a reading through the Bible plan this year, I am currently doing a Bible study by Beth Moore on the book of James entitled Mercy Triumphs. I’ve just started it, so am learning some history and background of the author of James for now.
What is your favorite verse or passage of scripture, and why?
Romans 8:11 and 2 Timothy 1:7 “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” It’s so empowering and encouraging to think that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is living in me! “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” Thank you, Lord!
If you could talk to a younger version of yourself, what advice would you give her?
Oh, I would tell her to stop worrying about the outside and what others think and spend more time with the Heavenly Father in His word!
When and how did you come to Christ?
My father is a minister, so I grew up in a Christian home. I’m so thankful for my Christian heritage. I’ve loved Jesus from a very early age. I accepted Jesus as my savior and was baptized when I was 10 years old. Unfortunately, I rebelled as a teenager and was not serious about my walk with the Lord. The crazy thing was that I knew later in my life I would go back to following God’s way, but I wanted to have fun for a while–such worldly thinking!
I attended Bible college the first year out of high school, but the summer after that year, I met a boy. I did not return to college for almost three years. At the end of that time, a friend of mine who was a principal at the Christian school where I was substitute teaching died. There was such a void from my friend’s death. I wanted to fill that void somehow. I wanted to pick up where he left off. I returned to Bible college; I got my bachelor’s degree in education; I met my husband; I asked God to use me wherever he needed me. This led to several years teaching in Virginia, a long youth ministry in Virginia, several years as missionaries in Haiti, and now living in Delaware so we’re closer to our families. God has been so good and faithful through all of my foolishness. I’m humbled that he chose me.
What is one situation you have faced or are facing? Share how God moved, or is moving, in the midst of this experience.
The situation that I’m dealing with at the moment is my very strong desire to retire. I’ve wanted to stop working for a few years now. As I get older, I’m not as “sharp” as I used to be and my memory fails me way too often. Also, now that we have a granddaughter, I want to be available as a grandmother to help my son and his wife.
Financially, it doesn’t make sense for us for me to retire just yet, so I pray without ceasing and trust God for the timing. He has helped me to be more content in my job and to find joy in my work. He’s always known what is best for our family, and I will trust him in this situation as well.
