Laura A. Philips - Associate Minister
It is with great joy that I can participate with the staff and community here at FCC BRLA! I am originally from a suburb near Kansas City, MO and by way of Lexington, KY have almost become a "southerner" (and almost an SEC fan) as I made this move to Baton Rouge in 2009. I spend my time at FCC with the children, youth, young adults, the growing emphasis on mission and outreach, as well as participating in preaching and leading worship. My Christian faith has colored my commitment to peace, social justice, outreach, mission, youth, children, and the MANY different ways in which people can uniquely and authentically experience the Divine.
In 2004 I graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.S in Business Administration and a B.A. in International Relations. While pursuing my undergraduate degree I spent a semester at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, and a summer as an intern for the Disciples Peace Fellowship traveling to and leading church camps around the United States. It was these two experiences that contributed most to my decision to pursue my Master of Divinity degree after Mizzou. In 2009 I graduated with my M. Div from Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Kentucky and was ordained at my home congregation in Liberty, Missouri. While in seminary I served a loving and welcoming congregation, Woodland Christian Church, Lexington, Kentucky, as their Student Associate Minister.
I currently serve on the Board of Directors for Capital Area CASA, and Southeast Ministries, a non-profit ministry staffed by volunteers from of 27 member churches who work together to provide food and financial assistance to qualifying clients who live in southeast Baton Rouge. I am also a part of Bethany Fellowships, a mentoring group for newly ordained pastors making the transition from seminary into sustained congregational ministry who are developing a strong and healthy pastoral identity. I am a trained Storyteller and working on becoming a Trainer for our Children Worship & Wonder program, and recently completed my training to be a Facilitator in the PPREPARE-ENRICH program counseling dating, engaged and married couples.
I have traveled internationally quite a bit, New Zealand and Belize stand to be my two favorites, but I hope to never let my passport sit dormant! I enjoy spending time with my dog Sally, running, playing tennis, staying active, spending time with family and friends, and spoiling my nieces and nephews back in Kansas City. I love sports – I’m having to learn to cheer for these LSU Tigers just as much as my Mizzou Tigers – and enjoy the outdoors, really anything that keeps me active! I recently acquired a guitar and will pray for patience as I begin that new adventure! :)
Click Here to email me.
Favorites
GOD * honesty * mexican food * snow * the lake * tennis * college basketball * DANCING * running * fresh exotic fruit * college football * friends * reading * TRAVEL * rain * ceiling fans * flip flops * laughing * family * MIZZOU * equality * indian food * tolerance * football * arabic music * AOTEAROA * tea * artistic movies * indian culture * sunsets * laughing * road trips * beaches * spring * smiles * LSU sports :)
Movies
Casino Royale * Love Actually * Monty Python * Whale Rider * Lord of the Rings * Pride & Prejudice * RENT * Rounders * Breakfast Club * Napoleon Dynamite * Monsoon Wedding * Friday Night Lights * L’Auberge Espagnol… AND LOTS MORE!
Music
Just a small collection of the variety of music I enjoy!
Paolo Nutini * Regina Spektor * Joshua Radin * Robert Randolph & the Family Band * Dave Matthews * Trace Adkins * Black-Eyed Peas * Jack Johnson * Brad Paisley * Ben Harper * John Mayer * Dixie Chicks * Kelly Clarkson * Charlotte Church * O.A.R. * Coldplay * She-Daisy * Couting Crows * Sister Hazel * Rob Thomas * Keith Urban * Nickel Creek * Dispatch *The Samples * Jack-O-Pierce * Janet Jackson* Jacks Mannequin* Faith Hill * Tim McGraw * Billy Joel * Aerosmith * Van Morrison * Van Halen * Ben Lee * Michael Buble * Boston * Natasha Bedingfield * Alpha Blondi *Bon Jovi * Virginia Coalition * Eric Clapton * Israel K * David Bowie …
TV
ESPN, Bones, CNN and Jeopardy!
Theologians
Jurgen Moltmann
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Quotes
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
"Every day, some ordinary person does something extraordinary. Today, it's your turn."
"Some people dance in the rain, others just get wet"
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter"