Almost nine years later, in August of 2006, Pastor Tara received the call from God to go into the ministry. Although she could not see everything God had planned for her future, she knew that He was calling her to a greater level of service. She was put into a Minister in Training status from September of 2006 until August of 2008 when God transitioned her and her family out of that ministry.  The years that followed became a season of spiritual growth, preparation, learning, and developing a deeper understanding of what it means to serve God and His people.

In November of 2008, Pastor Tara and her family joined a new ministry and the Lord began a new work in their life.  In December of 2011, she was accepted into the Minister in Training program.  On February 27, 2013, she was licensed as an Associate Minister.  Pastor Tara continued to serve for more than ten years as an Associate Minister in this ministry.  She has also held other positions within the ministry to include Intercessor, Youth Coordinator, Circle of Light Leader, and Greeter.  She gained valuable experience in Christian ministry, preaching, teaching, spiritual leadership, prayer, and serving God’s people. Those years were instrumental in shaping her understanding of ministry and strengthening her commitment to the calling God had placed upon her life.  She remained in this ministry until June of 2024.  Since that time, Pastor Tara has been attending a local ministry located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

Another significant milestone in Pastor Tara’s journey occurred when she was ordained through Harvest Network International, in January of 2025. Her ordination represented more than receiving ministerial credentials. It was another affirmation of the call that began years earlier and a continuation of her commitment to faithfully serve God wherever He leads her.

Over the years, she has learned that ministry extends far beyond the walls of a church. Ministry happens wherever people need hope, encouragement, prayer, guidance, compassion, and the transforming love of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Tara’s Educational Journey

Pastor Tara’s educational journey has been more than the pursuit of degrees or academic achievement. It has been a journey of faith, obedience, preparation, and purpose. At different stages of her life, God has directed her towards educational opportunities that she did not always fully understand at the time. Looking back, she can see how each step has contributed to the person, leader, and servant He has called her to become.

The Beginning of her Educational and Professional Journey

After graduating from high school, Pastor Tara followed several of her friends to college. At that time, she was not completely certain about the direction her life would take, so she chose the same major they had chosen, which was Criminal Justice. What began as simply following her friends ultimately became the beginning of a career and a calling that would shape her life for decades.

After earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, she began a career in the criminal justice system that would span more than twenty-five years, with much of that time spent in leadership positions. Pastor Tara served for more than twenty years in correctional facilities, served as a Probation Officer for more than two years, and later served in juvenile justice leadership as both an Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent of Juvenile Detention.

The last six years of her professional career have been spent working in different capacities of Higher Education.  Pastor Tara currently serves as a Nationally Certified NC Career Coach.

Pastor Tara’s journey at Regent University began when she sensed the Lord leading her to pursue her theological education through the Master of Divinity program.  Through the Master of Divinity program, she was able to deepen her understanding of scripture, theology, Christian leadership, and ministry. Pastor Tara completed her Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in May of 2013.

After completing the Master of Divinity degree, she returned to the Cinema-Television program, as she was a dual degree student.  In August of 2015, she earned her Master of Arts in Cinema-Television degree with a concentration in Scriptwriting from Regent University. 

Pursuing the Doctor of Ministry

When the time came to consider another degree, Pastor Tara prayerfully sought God’s direction. She asked herself an important question:

What degree would allow her to positively impact the greatest number of people?

That question led Pastor Tara to pursue the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) degree at Regent University, School of Divinity.

Through her doctoral journey Pastor Tara has been able to bring together many aspects of her calling, to include ministry, leadership, education, spiritual formation, research, and her desire to see people’s lives genuinely transformed through the power of God.

Pastor Tara’s education has been part of her preparation. Her preparation is connected to her purpose. Her purpose is ultimately about serving God by serving others.