 by Kelly Johnston Hannah Parrish walks into Lakeland, her calm nature and maturity belying her youth. Dressed in a classic black sweater and matching black and white sneakers, the gentle smile she shares with the interview team provides a glimpse into the young woman who donates a great deal of her time to helping with Lakeland’s youth. Hannah sits down on the couch, soft-spoken but excited to share her story with our interview team. When asked about how long she’s been a part of the church, her grin lights up her face. “So I’ve been coming to Lakeland for three years and my first year I was an intern. I learned a lot from everyone on staff.” She pauses and tucks a dark lock of hair behind her ear. “I was struggling with who I was and who I thought God was and that was hard,” she shares. “But, they just allowed me to feel that way and gave me a safe space to ask questions and that it was okay to not have all the answers or be certain.” Her smile returns, happy and confident. “I definitely grew more that first year then I ever thought imaginable.” She looks around at the team assembled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “You guys are my family.”
ABOUT MY STORIES
Every month Pastor Marta Gillilan and members of the Lakeland Social Media Team interview an individual, couple or family. From struggles in faith to joyful events, Lakelanders are sharing their stories through the “Humans of Lakeland” blog series. Get to know the people who call Lakeland home.
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 by Kelly Johnston
As we wrap up our interview with Jenn Beard, Pastor Marta asks about Jenn’s frequent trips around the globe. “You appear to everyone that you’re a world traveler, always on the go, not enough time to get with you, that you’re worldly and super smart.” A shy smile spreads across Jenn’s face at Marta’s praise. Marta continues: “You can say what you think but in actuality you’re extremely committed, extremely loyal, and you have a very strong foundation.” Jenn laughs as one hand comes up to rest over her heart. “That’s helpful to me because I would say that I’m a person of my word and I fiercely protect friendships and relationships in my life in a way that…” Her voice trails off and a small V appears on her forehead as she remembers some of the challenges of being constantly on the go as a child. “Growing up and moving a lot it was hard to keep solid relationships in my life. So when I met someone I really connected with it’s like “If I have to fly to see you twice a year I will” because I know how much of a gift it is to have someone who sees your good and bad and even a better version of yourself then you see while holding you accountable and pushing you to be better. So I hold on to them and I never want to let people down. I try to schedule my stuff around practice so I can be there for worship practice because I feel like I’m missing out, I can’t connect with people if I’m gone.” When asked about her travels not just for work but for missions, Jenn’s eyes light up. “I love traveling. There’s a big world out there. That to me is like connecting with people that are different than me, see people and eat food and smell smells that are different. It makes me feel alive and connected to the world.” “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” -Proverbs 16:9 ABOUT MY STORIES Every month Pastor Marta Gillilan and members of the Lakeland Social Media Team interview an individual, couple or family. From struggles in faith to joyful events, Lakelanders are sharing their stories through the “Humans of Lakeland” blog series. Get to know the people who call Lakeland home.  by Kelly Johnston Jenn Beard leans back into the cushions of the sofa, her gaze sliding away as she reminisces on how the worship team has become like her family over the years. “It’s been a rotating cast of characters over the years, but we spend a couple days together every week. They’re my small group. Before everyone started having children we got into several hi jinks.” Her eyes refocus on the interview team and she laughs. “We had this Polaroid scavenger hunt all over Lee’s Summit. Chris and Alica had set up all the challenges and it got crazy. At one point one member got on front of the horse-dog statue in front of UMB. One of the challenges was getting all of your members in a cart at Wal-Mart and taking a picture. Chris and Aliica had to judge all the entries when we got back. It was hilarious.” Despite their lighthearted adventures and times of laughter, the Worship Team has also supported each other in times of challenge and hardship. “I think we also go through life together, when someone’s lost someone or had a baby,” Jenn shares. “It’s a group that’s easy to stay together with since we see each other several times a week.” Every weekend the Worship Team leads Lakeland in praise. Not only do these incredible singers and musicians share their talents with their friends and family, they also take on a great deal of responsibility. “We have a mutual love of worship, it’s definitely something where we have to build a lot of trust. There’s funny moments but there’s times when things go very sideways and we have to salvage it. It’s a big responsibility to lead people in worship and if we get in people’s way we don’t want to hurt their experience.” Jenn ducks her head. “It feels terrible when something goes wrong because we want everyone to be able to worship.” Pastor Marta encourages her that many times people don’t notice, but Jenn leans forward, another smile dancing across her face. “See, I still remember very viscerally one Sunday that years ago we were here. I was leading and I was singing with Sara Zung and I was only singing the harmony part.” She crosses her hands over her chest, color high in her cheeks. “I started to sweat, wondering if I should pass out and pretend I was sick, because I couldn’t remember the lead lines. I’ve never done that song since.” “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to You; my soul also, which You have redeemed.” -Psalm 71:23 ABOUT MY STORIES Every month Pastor Marta Gillilan and members of the Lakeland Social Media Team interview an individual, couple or family. From struggles in faith to joyful events, Lakelanders are sharing their stories through the “Humans of Lakeland” blog series. Get to know the people who call Lakeland home.  by Kelly Johnston
Jenn Beard relaxes on one of the leather sofas in Lakeland’s lobby. Along with traveling and staying connected to friends and family, Jenn is an active member of Lakeland’s worship team. Not only does her voice harmonize beautifully with the other singers, but her natural energy and enthusiasm help her inspire the congregation and bring God to them through music. When we ask her what question she’d like to answer next in our interview, Jenn laughs. “I should probably answer the favorite worship song. I’m sure everyone is dying to know.” Another laugh echoes through the Lakeland lobby. “I’ve been involved with the worship team since I started coming.” Her eyes crinkle at the corners as a big smile spreads across her face. She settles deeper into the sofa as she reminisces on her Lakeland music roots. “I remember Chris coming to audition me in our duplex. Singing in a worship team and making up your own backing vocals you’re not like ‘Oh yeah, I got this.’ So I used to get an old Radio Shack tape recorder, I’d record myself singing and then take it home and practice. I needed a little help back in the day.” She pauses for a moment, reflecting on how music and worship have impacted her spiritual journey. “I feel like my songs are always evolving.” I really love anything by Hillsong United, I think they’re geniuses. The one that Garrett did the creation sermon to was inspired by this song ‘So Will I.’ The first time I did it at Lakeland I was so emotional I couldn’t even sing.” Her hands fly up as her eyes grow bright, her body trying to convey the beauty of the song. “You get to the end and you’re just like ‘Oh my gosh’ because you fully realize God’s love for you. The band teases me about how emotional I get,” she adds with a spunky grin. “O come, let us sing unto the Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!” -Psalm 95:1 ABOUT MY STORIES Every month Pastor Marta Gillilan and members of the Lakeland Social Media Team interview an individual, couple or family. From struggles in faith to joyful events, Lakelanders are sharing their stories through the “Humans of Lakeland” blog series. Get to know the people who call Lakeland home.  by Kelly Johnston
Jenn Beard bounces into Lakeland with a positive energy that inspires a smile you can’t keep from spreading across your face. In a pink, green and red striped sundress and tan sandals, she defines summer and doesn’t let the heat of the day slow her down. She takes a seat on the couch, red hair grazing her shoulders as she grins. Marta Gillilan, Pastor and the interviewer for the Humans of Lakeland series, begins by asking a popular question: Why are you a part of Lakeland and what makes it stand out? Jenn leans forward, her infectious smile ever present as she begins to share her story. “Originally I grew up Southern Baptist or whatever was on the military base. Very hellfire and brimstone. When Brian and I got married and moved here, since he was friends with lots of people who had been with Lakeland since the beginning we decided once we moved we would just go here. We moved here from southern California. I remember when we pulled up in front of the duplex we were renting, there were a bunch of people.” Jenn pauses and while a smile still lingers on her lips, her eyes glisten with tears. “I’m not normally a crier, I’m just remembering.” Her voice has grown thick. “We pulled up in a minivan. I didn’t want to be in the Midwest, I’m an ocean girl. But there were a lot of people from Lakeland there to help us move in, it felt like an instant family and it felt like coming home.” She pauses and sucks in a deep breath. “For someone who has moved a lot, and I didn’t know anyone here, for me over the years people have come and gone and there’s been times I thought I wasn’t sure, but for me it’s the people. I just feel like these our my relatives that I picked.” Her hand drifts up, a silver ring glinting on her hand, and she wipes tears away. “Pickle bullfrog face, as my mother says.” Laughter bubbles up as she rocks forward, once more animated with happiness. It’s easy to see that while Jenn has experienced challenges in her life, it hasn’t dimmed her zest for life or her passion for her Lakeland family. “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” -Psalm 37:4 Join us next week to learn more about Jenn’s story. ABOUT MY STORIESEvery month Pastor Marta Gillilan and members of the Lakeland Social Media Team interview an individual, couple or family. From struggles in faith to joyful events, Lakelanders are sharing their stories through the “Humans of Lakeland” blog series. Get to know the people who call Lakeland home. |
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