A large church body is a tremendous blessing but also comes with the challenge of getting to know other people as Sunday mornings are usually a flurry of activity. We want to help overcome that challenge by introducing you to some of the members of Northstar. Today, we are excited to introduce you to Vanessa Tegenkamp. Vanessa is a stay-at-home mom with a dream of one day opening her own Etsy shop. She is an extremely creative and artistic person with a servant’s heart. Enjoy learning more about Vanessa and make sure to look for her on Sunday and say hello!
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Awkwardly outgoing introvert.
How would you describe Northstar Church in 3 words?
Actively serving Jesus.
What is your family like?
We’re all crazy. Right now, it’s my husband, Andrew, our 10-year-old son, Elijah, a 6 month old that we are fostering, and our 12-year-old dog, Cody. We mess up quite often, but that leaves more room to learn to extend grace and love. Right?
How are you invested at Northstar?
I help with set-up, volunteer in children’s ministry (with amazing kids- y’all should try it!), and am part of the staff support team.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
Scotland- I don’t know what it is, but there’s something inside me that feels connectivity to it even though I’ve never been.
What is your favorite book?
The Shoemaker’s Dream by Mildred Schell and illustrated by Masahiro Kasuya. It’s a children’s book, but it’s so beautiful in its simplicity.
What Bible verse do you draw the most inspiration from?
I would start with 2 Corinthians 12:9. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
Every day, I see how enormously I fail at being a godly person. Despite that, He uses me, even my mistakes and weaknesses, to serve His purpose.
Plot twist! I’m also throwing in a whole chapter- I really like Job 38. It puts me in my place while poetically displaying God’s awesomeness in the truest sense of the word. I think many think of Jesus so fully as a friend that we tend to overlook the enormous reverence we should have towards Him.
Other than Jesus, who is your favorite biblical character and why?
Ruth. She was loyal, hard-working, gentle, and humble. I would love to be like her one day.
What is something that God has been teaching you recently?
Does everything count? 😉 Controlling my temper, putting others first with a glad heart, and holding my tongue.
Is there anything else you want to tell us?
Don’t always listen to absolutes. The saying, “Never eat yellow snow” didn’t take into account people pouring lemonade on snow for a homemade slushy. Just sayin’.