Child Psychologist: A Personal Statement

attending classes for a short time to have a baby boy in September 2004, then returned to finish college.

Daniel says that she has seen many who are involved in teaching and providing care through the church go on to be teachers, counselors, and administrators for various youth programs. Mrs. Daniel says, “the church opens doors for people to get involved with kids and shows them the impact that one person can make in a child’s life.” She became interested in working with children in this very way. Mrs. Daniel began to volunteer at her church, which later led to a part-time job. While working part-time, she continued her education and gained more experience that eventually led her to become the Director of Children’s Ministry. In order to prepare for entering this field, Mrs. Daniel suggest that, while it is not required, a person should have a college degree that prepares them for working with families and children and that they stay up to date on trends and issues in the church as well as in the community. She also says that if one plans to work in a church environment, they should have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Mrs. Daniel describes working in this kind of environment as a “calling.” She does not think that this is a field for everyone, “it takes a special kind of person to put the needs of children and the community in front of their own” says Mrs.

For many years, I have worked in ministry as a support ministry member. In 1993-1997, I served as Administrator at Beacon Light Full Gospel Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Darryl S. Bister. I was responsible for all of his appointments, drafting of documents, and overseer of additional staff members and responsible for the day to day operations. In 1997, I was called to Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church with my husband under Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. I served in many capacities in this ministry from worship leader to Administrator to the Registrar for Greater St. Stephens School of Ministry. My husband along with our 3 children was then called to Denver, Colorado to serve at Heritage Christian Center under Bishop Dennis Leonard. We serve in that ministry

I have always known that I wanted to work with kids, even before I knew for sure which career I wanted to pursue. Being one of the oldest children in my extended family, I have had the pleasure of looking after all of my younger cousins. I really love being a positive role model in their lives and being someone they can count on. I babysit whenever I can and even watch my teacher’s children on a pretty regular basis. Knowing this, it was no surprise that I jumped at the chance to volunteer once a month in my church’s nursery. Every second Sunday of the month, I watch all the “new walkers” to two year olds during the busiest service. I really love this age range because even though the kids are just learning to walk and talk, they all have their own unique personalities. I love to watch them interact with one another. I once saw a little boy put his face right into another little girl’s face. He slowly stuck out his tongue and licked her cheek, she pulled back, bewildered, and then handed him the book she was holding. Then the little boy simply walked away as if receiving books in exchange for licks was completely acceptable, which I suppose it is when you are that age! Helping out in the nursery is very important to me because I want the children’s parents to feel free to worship in the main service without having to worry about the safety of their kids. I am very blessed to have this

CHILDREN’S CHURCH: Children who want to help in Children’s Church get a copy of the lesson ahead of time and we meet with them to discuss and pray about the lesson. We decide which part of the lesson/service they will be in charge of. Whether it’s the object lesson, the Bible lesson, running the technology or games. A few days before, we meet or call again to make sure they are

Growing up, I always wanted to help my father. I wanted to get tools for him and rattle off facts, even when we both knew they were wrong. My drive to help people never lessened as I grew up, though it did evolve. My dad would watch me be on

Maturing as a young adult I realize the importance to others and myself to help people. The task could even be

When thinking about what career I wanted to pursue, I knew that I wanted to work with children and be able to make a difference in their lives. Volunteering has been a passion of mine since I was young, and as I have grown up I came to the realization that the opportunities I have enjoyed the most and felt that I made

For a majority of my life, I wanted to be a pediatrician when I grew up. I had wanted to be a pediatrician due to my passion to work with children, in addition to enhancing the lives of children. As I continued to grow up, I realized that science is not my strong suit and I would never survive medical school. I do not recall how I learned about the profession of social work, but around the eighth grade I have known that social work was the profession that I wanted to pursue. The idea of helping others is what initially struck me as compelling because I did not understand social work in it’s entirety, but I knew that I would relish a life of helping other individuals.

On the first evening of service, I was prepared, yet scared that I would say something wrong or the children there would

Start by donating clothes, or canned food to a food bank or holding a neighborhood canned food drive. Teach younger kids in your community sports or help at a vacation Bible school. Personally, I love helping at VBS, by the end of the week the kids aren’t just kids who were dragged to the church by their parents and don’t want to be there, but are happy to come. They looked up to me and the other counselors for an example for when they get older, and in their faith. A majority of the kids in a town that I went to with youth group to lead and VBS felt as if they needed to be mischievous and do the opposite of what the leaders told them to do. I hope by the time we left they had changed their perspective and want to learn more about the

For three years, I have been a leader in Route 56, a preteen program of fifth and sixth graders for my church. Every month we meet on a Friday night to play games, worship, and do a Bible study. This program allows me to show them love, hear about their personal life, and have fun in a caring place. I wanted to join this group, because I wanted to know what each of the preteens are going through.Whether if they were in a bad place or good at the moment. It was important to me to demonstrate love around them to demonstrate through my actions that they are loved, because I did not have someone to be there for me throughout my preteen years. My parents fought constantly, I was bullied at school, and betrayed by people I trusted.However, when I joined the church’s youth ministry they showed me an amazing amount of brotherly love. The pastor, leaders, and students care for one another, so it is a support group for all us. This ministry taught me how to love others. When I was informed that Route 56 needed help I did not think twice and signed up. Throughout the three years I have had the privilege to allow the children to feel comfortable to express themselves. Some of them were closed off or simply hung out by themselves when they were new to the program, but I have seen them grow out of their shells interacting with

I first became interested in psychology a couple years ago. I feel like I need to try and help make a difference, and that's what I would like to spend the rest

We had just moved across town from League City, Texas to Cypress, Texas, and my husband Mark and just moved his business from Downtown, Texas to Cypress, Texas. And this is the part where God was working, as we were seeking the place where He wanted us to be. I had been talking with my sister, who was helping me settle into our new house, and telling her that we were interested in finding a non-denominational church, and wouldn’t it be wonderful if it could be close by. While my sister was reading the “subdivision newsletter”, and this was all taking place while we were talking about where to attend church, she jumped out of the chair she was sitting in, ran over to me and said, “Bunnie, here is the church you are looking for, it is right in the neighborhood”. Of course, I was so excited, and promptly told my husband we have to go and check this church out. So, that Sunday we went to what started out as Fairfield Christian Fellowship, and today is known as Fountain of Life Church of God, pastored by John and Kerry LaLonde. The church met at that time in the pastor’s home, so it was a smaller church body, with about 30 people in attendance that particular Sunday. Everyone was welcoming and friendly, the praise and worship was wonderful, the uncompromised word of God preached, that is when we knew this is where God wanted

I entered into the worship service, unaware of what to expect. I was not familiar with this church, it was a non-denominational church, but the pastor had his roots in the A.M.E. Zion Church and branched out to establish his own church. I walked into the sanctuary prepared to participate in the Sunday School. I found a seat and readied myself to engage in some meaningful discussion. After sitting for several minutes, I asked one of the gentlemen who was standing at the front of the church if they had already started and where was the lesson coming from. He looked at his watch and indicated that he didn’t know if we had time for Sunday School. A puzzled look came over my face and I couldn’t help but express my confusion as I looked at