Laurie Strawbridge
Children's Ministry Director
I grew up in Atmore, AL where I lived for 18 years before going to school at the University of Alabama. But now when I go "home" for Christmas it is to Santa Rosa Beach, FL where my Mom and Dad, sister, brother-in-law, and two nieces live. My brother still lives in Atmore along with many Strawbridge aunts, uncles, and cousins. the McGougan side of my family is spread all over. I moved to Austin, Texas ten years ago and became the guardian for two teenagers, Zack and Arian, for five years and consider them part of my forever family.
After studying Human Development in college I worked briefly in a nursing home before hearing the call to ministry in 1995. After serving my home church as a program director I got my masters in Christian Education at Asbury Seminary in Kentucky and served as a youth director in Methodist churches in Pensacola, Panama City, and Austin. God has given me a love for writing curriculum for children and I feel so blessed to be at Palm Valley Lutheran. My favorite part of my job at Palm Valley is Sunday mornings and Wednesdayevenings when I get to spend time with the children. I love watching them discover how much God loves them. When I'm not at work I'm usually at home with my dog, Bama, watching tv or reading a book. If we're lucky we get to watch an Alabama Football game and cheer from the sofa.