MEET LAURA
WIFE – MOM – SPEAKER – AUTHOR – FOUNDER OF RUAH + EMBER
Growing up in church, I have had a relationship with Jesus Christ for as long as I can remember. Being raised in the pews, I frequented religious education classes, youth group, and many youth conferences. I loved Jesus since my earliest memories. But there came a point in my story when I struggled to see how my faith in Christ actually intersected the reality of my life. There was this very heavy battle that I faced with insecurity and fear of rejection and imperfection. That battle led me in my young adult years through a vast wilderness, chasing after things I thought would fill this craving for freedom in my heart. I ached for something more to my faith than just going to church on Sunday and going to a conference to ‘meet Jesus.’ In that ache, I pursued the wrong things: relationships, body image, and perfectionism, to name a few. As I walked deeper and deeper into my wilderness, the Lord, one by one, stripped my heart of things that were holding me back from experiencing the fullness of his love. I came to the end of myself in that wilderness time. It was painful, and I was a mess in the pit of my own valley, covered in dirt and facedown waiting to sense some sort of hope that life could turn around. But in that place, I met the living God.
In my story I have witnessed God restore hope, build wholeness, and redeem love. He is truly a God that longs to be in relationship with us, and to this life alongside us. God has shown up countless times to draw me in closer, speak loving truth, and watch me blossom in courage and freedom.
A redeemed life starts with a spark of hope that things can change- that life can come from a seemingly dead valley. My passion is to ignite hope in your story- to encourage your soul to believe that there is Savior who can rescue you from your valley and restore everything that was once stolen; to inspire courage for you to embrace every aspect of your entire story. Every piece of your storyline is written and lived intentionally- every part holds purpose in the kingdom of God, and God will turn every heartbreak into a song that will sing of praise and hope to the world around you. And my hope is to speak life over your heart and empower you to do the same for others.
My dream for this generation is to for all women, teenagers, young adults, and women rich in years to rise up as a vast army- full with freedom, propelled by love, and power through the Holy Spirit with holy confidence and strength. May this ministry prompt you with hope that you can rise again. May it inspire courage for you to embrace and own your whole story. May it encourage you to allow the Spirit of God to so move your soul that you are compelled to stand up and be light in this dark world. It is when we find our life in Jesus that His truth emboldens us to be secure, confident, and strong women who take their place in the great adventure with Him who called us.
MEET LAURA
WIFE – MOM – SPEAKER – AUTHOR – FOUNDER OF RUAH + EMBER
Growing up in church, I have had a relationship with Jesus Christ for as long as I can remember. Being raised in the pews, I frequented religious education classes, youth group, and many youth conferences. I loved Jesus since my earliest memories. But there came a point in my story when I struggled to see how my faith in Christ actually intersected the reality of my life. There was this very heavy battle that I faced with insecurity and fear of rejection and imperfection. That battle led me in my young adult years through a vast wilderness, chasing after things I thought would fill this craving for freedom in my heart. I ached for something more to my faith than just going to church on Sunday and going to a conference to ‘meet Jesus.’ In that ache, I pursued the wrong things: relationships, body image, and perfectionism, to name a few. As I walked deeper and deeper into my wilderness, the Lord, one by one, stripped my heart of things that were holding me back from experiencing the fullness of his love. I came to the end of myself in that wilderness time. It was painful, and I was a mess in the pit of my own valley, covered in dirt and facedown waiting to sense some sort of hope that life could turn around. But in that place, I met the living God.
In my story I have witnessed God restore hope, build wholeness, and redeem love. He is truly a God that longs to be in relationship with us, and to this life alongside us. God has shown up countless times to draw me in closer, speak loving truth, and watch me blossom in courage and freedom.
A redeemed life starts with a spark of hope that things can change- that life can come from a seemingly dead valley. My passion is to ignite hope in your story- to encourage your soul to believe that there is Savior who can rescue you from your valley and restore everything that was once stolen; to inspire courage for you to embrace every aspect of your entire story. Every piece of your storyline is written and lived intentionally- every part holds purpose in the kingdom of God, and God will turn every heartbreak into a song that will sing of praise and hope to the world around you. And my hope is to speak life over your heart and empower you to do the same for others.
My dream for this generation is to for all women, teenagers, young adults, and women rich in years to rise up as a vast army- full with freedom, propelled by love, and power through the Holy Spirit with holy confidence and strength. May this ministry prompt you with hope that you can rise again. May it inspire courage for you to embrace and own your whole story. May it encourage you to allow the Spirit of God to so move your soul that you are compelled to stand up and be light in this dark world. It is when we find our life in Jesus that His truth emboldens us to be secure, confident, and strong women who take their place in the great adventure with Him who called us.
BIO ON THE FLY
BUFFALO, NEW YORK NATIVE.
CURRENT CLEVELAND, OHIO RESIDENT.
MY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
I’ve gathered a range of skills and experience throughout the years. My hope is to use each one to build up Jesus’ Kingdom and equip His people. In many endeavors, the Lord strategically placed me on teams to build beautiful projects from nothing. Those experiences truly built in me a love to take bold risks and partner with God to create new things.
In college, I worked as the Middle School Ministry Director at the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg in Hamburg, NY (now Revive Wesleyan). There I oversaw programs ministering to hundreds of students, led the volunteer team, and was first given the opportunity to preach.
Entering my seminary program, I was a core leader and primary teacher for a young women’s ministry at The Chapel in Buffalo, NY called Refined. Our team built the program from the ground up, and it was there I had the opportunity to write and teach my first full length devotional called ‘Scars of Grace.’
Throughout my ministry years, the Lord supported me through a beautiful side-hustle of Media Consulting. Helping many Christian businesses, ministries and entrepreneurs to develop their designs, online presence and practical design needs. I’ve helped publish books, built websites, planned events and even build brands from the ground up.
Post seminary, I started a non-profit to raise money for organizations in the trenches fighting human trafficking. The organization, Rescu for Love, featured a non-profit nail polish line called “Rescu,” with colors that not only gave back, but told the story of redemption.
Upon moving to Cleveland, my husband and I stepped into leadership for a church plant in Ohio City called The Edge Church. Working with the lead pastor as Women’s Director and Marketing Coordinator and my husband in charge of Worship, we helped establish the new church in the area and created a Women’s Ministry from scratch.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed to speak at various churches, ministry events and women’s retreats. I’ve traveled with Thirsty Ministries to teach at restoration homes for women and brought my studies to a number of women’s groups throughout Buffalo and Ohio.
Currently, I work as Founder and Director of Ruah + Ember, a women’s ministry based in Cleveland. A culmination of my years of ministry experience, this ministry has become a living heartbeat, capturing the vision the Lord has cultivated in me throughout my life. It’s in this home that my incredible team has made it our mission to redefine women’s ministry and disciple in a way that gives women space to land and launch into their God-given calls.
A MINI RESUME
MASTER OF DIVINITY, CONCENTRATION IN PASTORAL COUNSELING
Liberty University; Lynchburg, Virginia
BACHELOR OF ARTS, MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY,
MINORS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES + ADOLESCENT COUNSELING
Canisius College; Buffalo, New York
FOUNDER OF RUAH + EMBER
Women’s Ministry in Cleveland, Ohio
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
MARRIED FOR 7 YEARS TO MY INCREDIBLE HUSBAND, JOSHUA. NEW MOMMA TO HUDSON WYLDER. AND IF YOU THROW IN ANOTHER FURRY CHILD, WE’VE GOT MYLA THE PUG.
BIO ON THE FLY
BUFFALO, NEW YORK NATIVE.
CURRENT CLEVELAND, OHIO RESIDENT.
MY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
I’ve gathered a range of skills and experience throughout the years. My hope is to use each one to build up Jesus’ Kingdom and equip His people. In many endeavors, the Lord strategically placed me on teams to build beautiful projects from nothing. Those experiences truly built in me a love to take bold risks and partner with God to create new things.
In college, I worked as the Middle School Ministry Director at the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg in Hamburg, NY (now Revive Wesleyan). There I oversaw programs ministering to hundreds of students, led the volunteer team, and was first given the opportunity to preach.
Entering my seminary program, I was a core leader and primary teacher for a young women’s ministry at The Chapel in Buffalo, NY called Refined. Our team built the program from the ground up, and it was there I had the opportunity to write and teach my first full length devotional called ‘Scars of Grace.’
Throughout my ministry years, the Lord supported me through a beautiful side-hustle of Media Consulting. Helping many Christian businesses, ministries and entrepreneurs to develop their designs, online presence and practical design needs. I’ve helped publish books, built websites, planned events and even build brands from the ground up.
Post seminary, I started a non-profit to raise money for organizations in the trenches fighting human trafficking. The organization, Rescu for Love, featured a non-profit nail polish line called “Rescu,” with colors that not only gave back, but told the story of redemption.
Upon moving to Cleveland, my husband and I stepped into leadership for a church plant in Ohio City called The Edge Church. Working with the lead pastor as Women’s Director and Marketing Coordinator and my husband in charge of Worship, we helped establish the new church in the area and created a Women’s Ministry from scratch.
Over the years, I’ve been blessed to speak at various churches, ministry events and women’s retreats. I’ve traveled with Thirsty Ministries to teach at restoration homes for women and brought my studies to a number of women’s groups throughout Buffalo and Ohio.
Currently, I work as Founder and Director of Ruah + Ember, a women’s ministry based in Cleveland. A culmination of my years of ministry experience, this ministry has become a living heartbeat, capturing the vision the Lord has cultivated in me throughout my life. It’s in this home that my incredible team has made it our mission to redefine women’s ministry and disciple in a way that gives women space to land and launch into their God-given calls.
A MINI RESUME
MASTER OF DIVINITY, CONCENTRATION IN PASTORAL COUNSELING
Liberty University; Lynchburg, Virginia
BACHELOR OF ARTS, MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY,
MINORS IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES + ADOLESCENT COUNSELING
Canisius College; Buffalo, New York
FOUNDER OF RUAH + EMBER
Women’s Ministry in Cleveland, Ohio
ON A PERSONAL NOTE
WIFE OF 7 YEARS TO MY INCREDIBLE HUSBAND, JOSHUA. NEW MOMMA TO HUDSON WYLDER. AND IF YOU THROW IN ANOTHER FURRY CHILD, WE’VE GOT MYLA THE PUG.
LISTEN IN
From LIVE online shows, impromtu facebook lives and public speaking, I have a passion for communication. Here’s just a snippet of my communication style.
Do you have a podcast, streaming platform or in person women’s event and are looking for a speaker? I’d love to chat about serving you and your women.
LISTEN NOW
From LIVE online shows, impromtu facebook lives and public speaking, I have a passion for communication. Here’s just a snippet of my communication style.
Do you have a podcast, streaming platform or in person women’s event and are looking for a speaker? I’d love to chat about serving you and your women.