An Emmanuel Story: A Work In Progress

Jamie is a busy woman. In addition to leading the band for the weekly Alive Service, she is the mother of two young girls, works as a professional architect, and sings with the Girls of Motown who perform in Collier and Lee County. (Look them up. Trust me – you will enjoy their concerts!) Jamie was raised in Ocean City, New Jersey and has lived in Naples since 2005.

Jamie’s path to becoming Emmanuel’s “Alive” Worship leader has been difficult. Jamie’s marriage broke up, and she was completely shaken and lost. She says this period of time was the most difficult she has faced as an adult. She was frustrated and angry with God because God did not intervene to mend her marriage. In the divorce she not only lost her husband but most of their shared friends. Life as a single parent is difficult without any family or close friends to provide support. Jamie accepted an offer to join Deacon Jim Cooper’s worship leadership team for the Alive worship. In this role, she has seen God’s hand in the improvement of her life. Between the pastoral counseling, a new group of friends through the church, and literally a place she can call her home on Wednesday evenings for band practice and Sunday morning for worship, Jamie has been reborn.

Jamie is the first to admit that she has a long way to go towards repairing her personal relationship with God and accepting His plans for her life. She knows that God is with her and her daughters. She has also been renewed through her frequent prayers for direction. She now often reads the Book of James to obtain practical insights. Serving at Emmanuel has helped Jamie greatly as Jamie shares her gifts with the “Alive” worshippers and band members.