Meet Emily
Brief Bio
Emily Foster is 21 years old and recently graduated Called College in the spring of 2025. She was part of the first graduating class of Called College, an extension of North Central University in Carlinville, IL. This is where she met a young man, Esham, who loves the Lord and also feels God's call to minister to young people. Emily and Esham are a dynamic couple anticipating a future as Mr. and Mrs.
Emily has grown up in ministry as her parents have served in various capacities in multiple states. Emily's parents are currently Lead Pastors of a church in Indiana. Emily is passionate about discipleship, wanting kids and youth to know they can be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to lead their world to Christ. This is evident by her personal mission "to share the love of Christ with others and lead them into a true relationship with Jesus."
Emily has served at District Camps for kids and youth, done internships in children's ministry, and continued to grow in her gifting as a worship leader. Her time at Called College has grown her desire to see kids be empowered and she's excited to be able to pour into and disciple kids, seeing them grow up in their faith and into their calling.
Emily has grown up in ministry as her parents have served in various capacities in multiple states. Emily's parents are currently Lead Pastors of a church in Indiana. Emily is passionate about discipleship, wanting kids and youth to know they can be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered to lead their world to Christ. This is evident by her personal mission "to share the love of Christ with others and lead them into a true relationship with Jesus."
Emily has served at District Camps for kids and youth, done internships in children's ministry, and continued to grow in her gifting as a worship leader. Her time at Called College has grown her desire to see kids be empowered and she's excited to be able to pour into and disciple kids, seeing them grow up in their faith and into their calling.
In Emily's Own Words
The following questions and answers were from Emily's candidate packet and give a good overview of her heart and desire for ministry.
Briefly describe your call and desire to lead Children’s & Youth Ministries:
I have a strong passion to see the next generation encounter Christ and the Holy Spirit. I desire to see young kids and youth grow in their faith and become disciples of Christ who are living out the Great commission boldly.
What about the NextGen Role & Vision excites you?
What excites me most about the NextGen role at Maranatha is the opportunity to really pour into a group of students by building relationships, discipling them, and helping them grow into leaders who are led by the Holy Spirit and living out their faith. I love seeing young people encounter Jesus in a real and personal way, and I love that Maranatha truly prioritizes that. I’m also really excited about reaching out to the community and showing the love of Christ to people who may have never experienced it before.
How do you feel this role will help you fulfill the call of God on your life?
I feel like this role will really help me grow as a leader and pastor while living out my calling to disciple the next generation. I would say it fits with the burden God has placed on my heart to help young people grow in their faith and experience the Holy Spirit in real, life-changing ways. I also see it as a chance to help create a Christ-centered environment where students, families, and volunteers feel loved, supported, and encouraged in their walk with God.
How do you see yourself growing in this role and vision over the next 5-10 years?
I see myself growing over the next 5 to 10 years by helping develop leaders in the youth and kids ministries while also becoming the most Christlike leader and pastor I can be. I want to help create an environment and team where people feel seen, experience God’s love, and are encouraged in their faith. I also want to see the church reach out to the community and share the hope of Jesus with those around us. I’m excited to keep growing and learning in my faith so I can guide and disciple the next generation as best as I’m able.
How do you set an example for those you lead?
One way I try to set an example is by being the same person in public and in private. Having integrity and staying humble is really important to me. Something I remember Chris Stanley saying a lot was, “If you’re too big to serve, then you’re too small to lead.” That’s always stuck with me and reminds me to lead with a servant’s heart. I do my best to show Jesus’s heart and love to everyone I come into contact with. I want my life to reflect that I have a real relationship with Christ. I know I’m not perfect, but I want to follow Him with purity, integrity, and a heart that points others to Him.
What does it mean to you to make disciples?
I would say that making disciples means building real relationships and walking alongside others as they grow in their faith. It is about encouraging them, being someone they can trust, and being there to pray for them. I also believe it means showing them love and care just like Jesus would. Discipleship happens through everyday life by showing up, listening, and pointing people to Jesus through both words and actions.
How will you recruit, train, and build a team?
I believe everyone has a unique role in God’s kingdom with different gifts and passions. If I were recruiting volunteers, I’d focus on building real relationships and matching people with roles they’d enjoy and be good at. To keep volunteers motivated, I’d celebrate the little wins and encourage them. I want to help create a positive environment where everyone knows they’re important and have a special role. To build a strong team, I’d plan events where we can hang out and connect with one another. I’d also check in with volunteers regularly and remind everyone that we’re all working together to help kids and students grow in Christ. I want to create a sense that we’re all working towards one big goal which is building the kingdom.
I have a strong passion to see the next generation encounter Christ and the Holy Spirit. I desire to see young kids and youth grow in their faith and become disciples of Christ who are living out the Great commission boldly.
What about the NextGen Role & Vision excites you?
What excites me most about the NextGen role at Maranatha is the opportunity to really pour into a group of students by building relationships, discipling them, and helping them grow into leaders who are led by the Holy Spirit and living out their faith. I love seeing young people encounter Jesus in a real and personal way, and I love that Maranatha truly prioritizes that. I’m also really excited about reaching out to the community and showing the love of Christ to people who may have never experienced it before.
How do you feel this role will help you fulfill the call of God on your life?
I feel like this role will really help me grow as a leader and pastor while living out my calling to disciple the next generation. I would say it fits with the burden God has placed on my heart to help young people grow in their faith and experience the Holy Spirit in real, life-changing ways. I also see it as a chance to help create a Christ-centered environment where students, families, and volunteers feel loved, supported, and encouraged in their walk with God.
How do you see yourself growing in this role and vision over the next 5-10 years?
I see myself growing over the next 5 to 10 years by helping develop leaders in the youth and kids ministries while also becoming the most Christlike leader and pastor I can be. I want to help create an environment and team where people feel seen, experience God’s love, and are encouraged in their faith. I also want to see the church reach out to the community and share the hope of Jesus with those around us. I’m excited to keep growing and learning in my faith so I can guide and disciple the next generation as best as I’m able.
How do you set an example for those you lead?
One way I try to set an example is by being the same person in public and in private. Having integrity and staying humble is really important to me. Something I remember Chris Stanley saying a lot was, “If you’re too big to serve, then you’re too small to lead.” That’s always stuck with me and reminds me to lead with a servant’s heart. I do my best to show Jesus’s heart and love to everyone I come into contact with. I want my life to reflect that I have a real relationship with Christ. I know I’m not perfect, but I want to follow Him with purity, integrity, and a heart that points others to Him.
What does it mean to you to make disciples?
I would say that making disciples means building real relationships and walking alongside others as they grow in their faith. It is about encouraging them, being someone they can trust, and being there to pray for them. I also believe it means showing them love and care just like Jesus would. Discipleship happens through everyday life by showing up, listening, and pointing people to Jesus through both words and actions.
How will you recruit, train, and build a team?
I believe everyone has a unique role in God’s kingdom with different gifts and passions. If I were recruiting volunteers, I’d focus on building real relationships and matching people with roles they’d enjoy and be good at. To keep volunteers motivated, I’d celebrate the little wins and encourage them. I want to help create a positive environment where everyone knows they’re important and have a special role. To build a strong team, I’d plan events where we can hang out and connect with one another. I’d also check in with volunteers regularly and remind everyone that we’re all working together to help kids and students grow in Christ. I want to create a sense that we’re all working towards one big goal which is building the kingdom.
Do you have a question for Emily?
During our church fellowship following service on August 31st, we will have a brief Q&A with Emily. If there is a question you'd like to ask, please fill out this form and we will try to add it to our list of questions for her!