About Me

Christ-follower, pastor, teacher, freelance writer.

Welcome to my website! Just a little bit about me: I’m a lifelong Jersey Girl –  born and raised in Jersey City, just a few minutes outside of New York City. I still live in the New York Metropolitan Area, just in the ‘burbs now.

I visit my hometown often, as my church, Hope Center Tabernacle, is in JC. That’s where I met my husband, Nelson, back in 2008. We’ve been married for nearly 10 years. God definitely arranged our marriage! You can read more about our story here. 

Together we have  a daughter named Victorie, who is almost 5 years old. We picked her name long before she was conceived. Little did we know her healthy arrival into this world was going to be a true victory! She is a spunky, fearless little girl.

I am a proud Latina (Puerto Rican and Panamanian). My husband is Indian – his family is from Kerala – the land of coconuts. We have definitely encountered some challenges as a bicultural family, but our pursuit of the Kingdom of God keeps us united!

In another life, I was a French high school teacher, but I left teaching once I became a mom. I’ve also had stints as a journalist, a freelance writer and a fitness blogger.

I love writing – poetry, prose, fiction.  I enjoy starting journals I never finish, planners, calendars, etc. I just love stationery. And little independent coffee shops, too. (Though I’ll settle for Starbucks or Panera in a pinch!) My favorite things to do are reading and writing. And if I can steal away for a couple of hours to read and write in a coffee shop, I’m in heaven!

I was ordained as a pastor along with my husband in December of 2020. We currently oversee a church plant in Hackettstown, NJ. Prior to that, I was a small groups leader for about a decade. I love to share God’s Word with people! 

So what’s the point of this website?  Jesus says in Matthew 13:52:

“Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old”.

What an accurate metaphor! (Would you expect anything less from Jesus?!) Truly, God’s Word is a treasure. I’ve never been to seminary but I LOVE to study the Bible. I plan to share some of the nuggets I find as the Holy Spirit leads.

My hope is to also share bits and pieces of my life that might encourage you in your pursuit of God. 

 Thanks for joining me!

XO,

Karina