The Zone Gathering

Today, we shine the spotlight on Tiffani Hampton. Tiffani and her husband Dan wear a variety of different hats here at NCC. You may have seen Tiffani leading small groups or working in our kids ministry at Ballston. If you missed her there, then you certainly saw her playing God at this past year’s Variety Show.

Tiffani is a great friend, and I’m so excited to announce that she and Dan have stepped up to be Team Leaders in the Hill Zone of married couple small groups.

Today, we talk with Tiffani about life, ministry, and pet tigers.

How long have you attended NCC? What brought you to NCC?
I have attended NCC for 3 years and 9 months (4 years in January). Dan actually started attending NCC when he moved here the August before me. So, I started attending when I moved out here and we decided that this was where we needed, and wanted, to be.

Tell us a little about the small groups and/or ministries that you lead and how that experience has impacted you.
Let’s see, Dan and I started leading a couples small group the summer (or fall, it all is a blur now) of 2004. Let’s just say, that first group had to be the most intimidating group to lead. It’s not that we had a bad group of people, it’s just that Heather and Ryan decided to attend that one. Can you say, PRESSURE. Anyways, it all turned out okay, and Heather let us keep leading groups. (Wow, this is going to be long, sorry about that.) Now, we are team leaders for Brian and Kim Hill’s Zone.

I personally believe that every person should join a small group. If you are married or engaged, I think you should be in a group together. From experience, I can say that there is no better way to get to know and develop intimate relationships with people. On the couple side of it, group has led to many conversations with Dan that I probably would never have had otherwise. It has been an amazing way to grow in Christ together.

As far as ministry goes, I have been involved with the children’s ministry since summer of 2003. I was involved with the Ballston launch, and I have been there ever since.

Ministry is another way that I have met some amazing people at church. Let me tell you, there may be no better way to get to know a person and their quirks than by working with them side by side in ministry! I have truly been blessed by friendships that I have made with people working with me in ministry. It is so true that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I don’t even think I can begin to talk about all the ways that this is true. (Geesh, I said a lot of “true” in this question)

Where can you be found on Sunday mornings?
On Saturday nights, I can be found at one, or both, of the services at Ebz. On Sunday mornings, I can always be found in the kids area at Ballston. Just follow the sounds of kids shouting, laughing and singing, and you will find me.

When did you start following Christ and what have been some of the spiritual turning points in your life?
I started to attend church when I was in 5th grade; I hated it (I think that is why I am so passionate about making Sunday school fun). When I was in 7th grade I decided to make a commitment to Jesus. It was at winter camp (the same camp I met Dan; just FYI) with my youth group. I was baptized a year and a half later, on October 31st. I was always very involved with youth group through out high school, even when I was going through some “rough” patches in my walk. During my first couple of years at college I basically decided to walk on a different path than the one I needed to. It wasn’t until I moved down to San Diego and had to deal with some hard issues that I really made a decision that I should be 100% sold out to Jesus. Since then I have been striving to be more like him every day.

Tell us a little about your background (where you are from, education, your family, etc)
I am from good old So Cal (also known as Southern California for those unaccustomed to the CA lingo). I grew up in a town called Thousand Oaks which is about 45 minutes outside of Los Angeles. I went to an all girl junior and senior high school and then I went to community college for 2 years. My move to San Diego began a series of transfers to different colleges (I can tell you the story later, it’s not very exciting) which made my total # of colleges attended up to this point: 6. I was very involved with dance throughout all of my education (kindergarten – 1st 2 years of college). I have two sisters, one older and one younger. I have lots of cousins and extended family that I grew up with, so holidays and birthdays were always fun.

What is your favorite Scripture passage?
This is a hard one, there are so many. I think right now, my favorite passage is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This has brought me comfort lately as I deal with all the emotions for not passing the NCLEX. It helps to remind me that no matter what the outcome of this next test is (which is Sept. 27 so say a prayer), I can rest in peace knowing that I am not a failure in God’s eyes and He has something for me.

What are your favorite books?
I haven’t had a whole lot of time to read normal books, but I highly recommend the Saunder’s comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN and the Kaplan Review book if you’re in the mood for some good ol’ studying. Although I am slightly ashamed to say it, I really enjoy the Harry Potter books. Okay, I’ve said it. I know I can’t be the only one out there who likes them. I also really liked The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.

What are your favorite movies?
Oh my gosh, there are soooo many. I love just about any musical or Audrey Hepburn (especially Roman Holiday) movie. Any old movies, except the westerns. As far as new movies, I like Inside Man and Hero (amazing cinematography). My favorite animated movie (which is hard to pick because as anyone who knows me can attest to, I enjoy them all) is Anastasia. I love Bartok! I am always a sucker for a good chick flick too. I think my favorite chick flick at the moment is Sweet Home Alabama. (Does anyone else think Josh Lucas (Jake) looks like a blond Dan?)

What is your favorite fast food?
IN-N-OUT, by far, the best. Second, Jack in the Box. Third, Taco Bell.

What is something that most people at NCC would not know about you?
Let’s see… I’ve always wanted (I mean really, really wanted) to have a tiger. I love ducks, can’t tell you why, I just do. One of my dreams is to open up a dance studio. I was sued for $1.6 million for a car accident I was in the summer before my senior year of high school. I am the shortest one of all my sisters (my older sister is 5’9”, my younger sister is 6’2” and I am 5’8”). I could listen to Christmas music all year long (unfortunately, my husband does not allow me to).

Tell us a little about your day job. What is your dream job?
Right now I am working at Washington Hospital Center. As soon as I pass my NCLEX, I will be working as a registered nurse. I also work at Ebenezers, which I absolutely LOVE! My dream job, as cheesy as it sounds, is to be a mom. My second dream job would be owner of my future dance school.

Who is your hero? (besides Jesus or any other member of the Trinity)
My mom. She has been through so much in her life and yet she continues to serve God and keep a smile on her face. I am proud to call her my mom.

What do you do in your free time?
What free time? Sleep, watch movies, hang out with friends.

In NCC:THE MOVIE who would play you? Who would play Pastor Mark?
Why me, of course. I guess if I had to pick someone else, it would be Reese Witherspoon, not because she looks like me, but just because she’s cool. Pastor Mark would be played by Heather. I think Heather could do a good rendition of just about anyone. If it had to be a male, I would have to say Parker. He did a great job a while back playing the young P. Mark.

What is your favorite Pastor Markism?
Reticular Activating System, Al-ways, mas o menos

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 19th, 2006 at 9:34 am and is filed under Ministry Leaders, Spotlights, Team Leaders. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.