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Pastor Christina Shaver & Family
By: Karen Baker
For those who miss her big smile, hearty laugh, and friendly personality, Christina Shaver's appointment as Trinity UMC Senior Pastor beginning in July 2024 promises to bring us plenty more!
Growing up in Spanish Fort, AL, makes Pastor Christina almost a Native. She attended Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, and seminary at Emory University Candler School of Theology. Upon completion of her studies, she became the Associate Pastor at Trinity UMC from July 2010 to June 2016, became an elder in full connection in June 2014, and has been serving as Pastor of St. Paul in Gulf Breeze since July 2016.
Many of you will remember when the Trinity Ladies Bible Study hosted a Wedding shower for Christina and her fiancé Jonathan Shaver 11 years ago. Before they left Trinity, we celebrated the birth of their son, James (8), and after her transfer, we all prayed with them upon the birth of their second son, George (5) (more on this later).
Her husband, Jonathan, is a native of Fort Walton Beach and has a brother and sister, Mark and April. His parents even had cards from Trinity members welcoming him into the world! After graduating from Fort Walton Beach High and the University of Florida he went to work at the Air Force research lab as an electrical engineer. In his spare time, he loves reading Harry Potter with James, fixing up their house with his brother Mark, and planning fun trips!
It's going to be wonderful to have more children at Trinity, and Christina says, "Both are hilarious and sweet. James is a carbon copy of his dad and George is the most extroverted person to ever exist. He can have a conversation with anyone!"
Christina's parents, Chip and Averette Hale are super supportive. Chip is a retired pastor and has already asked when he can preach at Trinity! Christina has two sisters, Caroline and Anna Camille. Growing up as a Pastor's child can sometimes plant seeds early, and then one feels the nudge much later. Pastor Christina "felt called into ministry when I was 19 years old. I was a counselor at Blue Lake and was leading worship; I heard God tell me that this was supposed to be what I was doing with my life, serving God and leading His people."
Christina has served as a residency group mentor for ministers commissioned but not yet ordained, led chapel with preschool and vacation Bible school, and assisted in the recent thrift store that St. Paul UMC opened for their community. She truly loves people, knowing that "God does not call us to live life alone, but to live life together." To relax, she plays the piano with James, plays outside, swims in the summer with George, and takes cruises with her husband, Jonathan.
Now, to explain our prayers for George: Per Christina, "Our lives completely changed when George was born. George was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which means the left side of his heart was too small to function. It shattered my heart to think about my child having to grow up and be limited in what he could do. He has had 4 open heart surgeries, but with every challenge he has faced, George has overcome. There was a defining moment during that time when I asked God why was this happening to George. I said, why can't you give George a miracle and cure him? God told me that George did not need a miracle; he needed time, and he would be healed. I have watched as that promise has come true. George is energetic, he never stops moving, loves everyone, he is only on a small amount of medicine and you would never know that George had such a grim diagnosis when he was born. I have seen God heal George over time and I promised God that I would spend my life shouting from the rooftops that God keeps his promises. Every day is a miracle, and George is a constant miracle, and I am incredibly grateful to witness him grow and love."
And lastly, Pastor Shaver exclaimed, "I AM WRITING IN ALL CAPS TO CONVEY HOW EXCITED I AM ABOUT COMING TO TRINITY. I LOVE THIS CHURCH SO MUCH!!! and I can't wait to see what God does with us."
Our Trinity family is looking forward to the next few years as Pastor Christina leads us through God's will to a new level of prosperity, renewal, growth, and love together.
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