Jennifer, aka Jenni, joined Emerald Youth after several years of growing experience in ministry and youth engagement. Originally from a small town in West Virginia, she moved to Knoxville in 2022 to participate in a ministry residency program—an experience that quickly made Knoxville feel like home.

Jenni earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2021 and began her career in the banking industry before sensing a clear calling toward full-time vocational ministry. Through her residency, she served more than two years at KARM, where she developed a deep passion for relational ministry and discovered a growing desire to work more closely with students. That passion ultimately led her to Emerald Youth.

She attends Fellowship Church on Middlebrook Pike, where she serves in the Student Ministry, leading a 7th-grade girls LifeGroup. She is also active in a young adults LifeGroup focused on studying Scripture and navigating life through a biblical lens. A meaningful passage in her faith journey is Hebrews 10:23–25.

Jenni grew up in a close-knit family and is the youngest of four siblings. Her dad has pastored the same church for nearly four decades, and her mom recently retired from her long career in nursing. Their example and the many ministry experiences of her childhood helped instill in Jenni a lifelong desire to serve others. She will marry her fiancé in March 2026, and together they enjoy serving in student ministry.

Outside of work, Jenni loves spending a day thrift shopping, watching NFL football, diving into a good book, or catching up with a friend at a cozy coffee shop. A proud Kansas City Chiefs fan, she remains loyal to her team—though she jokes that she can’t claim to be a Swiftie. She also enjoys trying new things and is often up for both spontaneous adventures and thoughtfully planned outings. Thanksgiving is her favorite holiday, as she treasures the slower pace and intentional time with others.

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