What do you do at Rooftop?
I am the Rooftots Children’s Director.
How did you become a follower of Christ?
I became a Christian at the age of 10, having been in church all my life. I grew (slowly) in my knowledge of Christ through high school, but gradually throughout my college years turned away from my relationship with God. (Incidentally, that was the most miserable and depressed I’ve ever been.) In my early 20’s, I realized that my problem was that while I was a believer in Christ, I was not living the life of a follower and sought out the guidance of a church. The church I attended was only an okay church, but better than nothing. Finally, a couple of friends and I started looking for a new place to worship and heard the ad for Rooftop’s opening service on Easter in 2001. We came and I stayed. My spiritual life improved drastically and immediately and I have strived to be a follower and emulator of Christ since then.
How did you get plugged in at Rooftop?
I got plugged in at Rooftop by volunteering to serve. I responded to a request to fill in temporarily in coordinating the children’s ministry when Michele Herndon was expecting Max. I also volunteered for the worship team. That turned out to be a strategic move - I married the bass player.
Goal(s) for your ministry:
The mission of the Rooftots ministry is to facilitate the church’s directive to make followers of Christ who make followers of Christ who make followers of Christ. For the younger children, we provide childcare so that parents are free to pursue that goal, for the older children, we provide instruction and guidance so that they may become followers of Christ themselves.
What do you see God doing at Rooftop that most excites you?
I love it when children learn how much they’re loved by God. I love it when they worship and when they clap along to the songs we sing and when they ask great questions and when they pray. I’m most excited about opening new rooms and hosting new events for the kids.
Favorite Rooftop memory:
My favorite memory is working on renovating our building during the summer of 2005. It was definitely A LOT of hard work and the days were exhausting and not always fun. However, I was able to see God work through our inexperienced but willing body. He provided the resources to make the improvements we were hoping for. He blessed our humble efforts and turned them into something beautiful. Friendships were made and strengthened and I feel more connected than ever to the body of believers at Rooftop.
Family stats:
My husband is Steve Schrage, the aforementioned bass player as well as an elder and the “Building Guy”. We have a little girl named Anna. She’s new and she’s wonderful.
Where might you be found when not at Rooftop?
Since I quit my teaching job when Anna was born, I can be found at home much of the time. I love being unemployed! We keep busy with play dates, lunches, bible studies and stuff and things.
Book (other than the Bible) most likely to be found on your nightstand / CD in your CD player?
I have to read anything by Jodi Picoult. I am also working on, How to Raise Kids for True Greatness, by Dr. Tim Kimmel. Currently in my CD players are Switchfoot’s “The Beautiful Letdown,” “Songs for a Mom” compiled by the Women’s Ministry, and “Brian Regan Live”.
TV addiction(s) you suffer from?
I watch The Amazing Race, The Amazing Race! (It’s so exciting, you have to say it twice.) And, Anna and I watch reruns of The Andy Griffith Show pretty much every morning.
If you could have lunch with 2 people in history (besides Jesus), who would they be and what would you talk about?
I would like to have a meal with Benjamin Franklin-he was so influential in the founding of America and an important inventor as well. And, from the stories I’ve heard, I can’t be sure he’ll be in heaven, so this may be the only chance I’d get! I’d also like to eat with Ruth, whose account can be found in the Old Testament under her name. I would love to hear her story firsthand and learn a few things about humility and loyalty.
If you could be one place in the world right now (other than a Rooftop service), where would it be and why?
I would like to visit Israel. Steve took me to Europe last summer and we found the relics of religious significance to be by far the most moving. So, hopefully, Israel will be the next major journey. It won’t happen anytime soon, but we’re wishing, here, right?