Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a deep love and respect for our military. Many of my aunts and uncles served. With my original roots being grounded in central Florida, I have called Rutherford County home since 1989 and I have raised two beautiful children here. I am proud and blessed to be a military mom. My son Nick serves in the US Army and my daughter Nichole (Cole) serves in the US Marine Corps; both answered their call to serve straight out of high school. Both of my children were in the MCJROTC program at RS Central High School which afforded me the blessing of being “ Mama Stoe” for 6 wonderful years.
Long before my children were called to serve, God placed a deep desire in my heart to give back to our military. Looking back, I can see that God was preparing me for such a time as this. Even though I have always had a deep love and respect for our military, I never truly understood the depth of their sacrifice until my own children placed their lives on hold to answer their call to serve.
In March of 2017, I walked through the doors at Father’s Vineyard. I was searching for a church home, a family; somewhere I could learn and grow, make a difference. After attending services for only a few short months, I joined the church and began to share my passion, a military ministry, with my church family and my pastors.
The amount of encouragement and support I received were both overwhelming and inspiring. In October of 2017, the Military Ministry was officially birthed at Father’s Vineyard with me, Lisa Marie Barrett appointed as the director. Although God didn’t call me to actively serve our country by enlisting, He has called me to serve by honoring and serving those who have been called to serve; to make a difference in their lives by praying, giving, and thanking.
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something I can do.” ~ Helen Keller
Love God. Love People. Make a Difference.