Please meet Lisa Maples, another one of our new NLCC Board members.  Lisa is a sweet spirit with an admiration and great love for the Lord.  You will want to meet her if you haven’t already, so please introduce yourself!

Lisa was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, but was raised  most of her childhood life in England where her father was stationed while serving in the United States Air Force.  Lisa and her family moved to Atwater when she was in the 10th grade and finished her high school education at Atwater High School in 1982.

Lisa continued her education and attended Merced College for two years earning an Administration of Justice AA degree.  She wasn’t sure what direction to go after community college, so her father suggested the Army where she studied and served as a Military Policewoman for six years.  After her career in the military she finished college at CSU Stanislaus with a BA in Sociology.  Today, after 14 years of employment with Merced County, Lisa is the Probation Manager working with the juvenile department.  You go girl!!!

Lisa accepted Christ in 2001.  She attended church with her mother and grandmother as a child and felt His presence.  But, as an adult, it was with a book gift from a friend, The Prayer of Jabez, that inspired her.  “That was the turning point when I realized I wanted Christ in my life.”

Lisa has been with NLCC since 2001 and was baptized November 2002.  Her favorite verse/passage is Psalms 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  This passage comes to her everyday and she just loves it.

Lisa has trusted her life with God.  “Instead of just coming and leaving church, God has opened my heart to be a part of the church body.  He has changed my walk, taught me to tithe and helped me to understand the first fruits of the Spirit.”  She has experienced that “prayer works!”  In her trust and obedience to God, He has given her a promotion at work, travel opportunities and helped her to move out on her own.

Lisa has been very open to what God wants in her life.  She has always had a heart for missions and after volunteering at Love INC early 2006, she was recruited to be on the board of directors, and now serves as the Board President since October 2007.  She feels Love INC is a wonderful place for her and this has helped her to branch into our own New Life Missions Team where she recently has been involved.  Thank you Lisa, for your servant’s heart!