The Zone Gathering

Last week, we shined the spotlight on Dustin Hanks, and today we shine it on the better half of the equation, his wife, Sarah. We are interviewing all of our veteran NCC small group leaders, and I can’t think of anyone that has been more joyfully committed than the Hanks. While Dustin has been involved in the youth group, hospitality, and couples group leadership, Sarah has been involved in couples group leadership and worship team. You’ve probably seen her on the violin on Sunday mornings. One of my favorite memories of Sarah was Variety Show 2005 when her star student, Micaiah, won 1st place.

Today, we talk to Sarah about life, ministry, and N’Sync music videos.

How long have you attended NCC? What brought you to NCC?
We started attending NCC a little over three years ago over the July 4th weekend. It was our first week in DC. We found NCC on a recommendation from a friend in Florida. He told us that he had a friend who visited NCC anytime that he was in town. We actually thought that the basement offices were a coffee house because we saw plans for Ebz on the church website. So we walked down those old steps and found Pastor Mark and Christina and asked for a cup of coffee. We thought that little bar down there was the coffee shop. Needless to say, they were so confused.

Tell us a little about the small groups and/or ministries that you lead and how that experience has impacted you.
The couples group is a fun time to get together with good friends and study the Word. We have made many deep friendships with the couples in our group.

Where can you be found on Sunday mornings?
In bed. We go to the 5:05 at Ebenezers.

When did you start following Christ and what have been some of the spiritual turning points in your life?
Basically my brother got baptized and he said in his little talk to the congregation that he knew he was going to heaven. Well right after Sunday dinner, I told my father that I wanted to make sure I was going to heaven too. My Dad took out his Bible, read some scripture, and explained how I could have eternal life. He prayed with me on the couch in his office that day. A spiritual turning point was three summers that I will never forget. I was a camp counselor during high school and my first year of college at a Christian summer camp. Three summers spent 24/7 with other youth who are on fire for God definitely spurs you on in the Faith.

Tell us a little about your background.
I grew up in Miami, FL where my parents were on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ. They are still on staff but have moved to Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I have a 27 year old brother, Stephen, a 21 year old sister, Patty, and a 14 year old brother, Andy. I started playing the violin when I was 6 years old and I graduated in 2003 from Florida Sate University School of Music with a degree in Music Education Instrumental. My older brother went to the University of Florida, which is why we don’t speak to each other during football season.

What is your favorite Scripture passage?
Ephesians 1 and 2, everything that I am in Christ.

What are your favorite movies?
I wanted to be called Scarlett O’Hara when I was a little girl.

What is your favorite fast food?
A burger from Five Guys.

What is something that most people at NCC would not know about you?
I played my violin with N’Sync and Gloria Estefan when I was 18. I was in their music video, “The Music of My Heart”. What, you haven’t heard of it! It was #1 on MTV’s TRL for 16 weeks (or something like that).

Tell us a little about your day job. What is your dream job?
I’m am the string orchestra teacher at KIPP DC: KEY Academy, a DC public charter school serving children from SE Washington DC. I teach music to children who otherwise wouldn’t receive a music education. I teach them how to play an instrument and be proud of their ability to read and play music. This is my dream job.

Who is your hero? (besides Jesus or any other member of the Trinity)
My little brother Andrew is one of my little heroes. He is our gift from God in my family. I had a brother who died in infancy one year before Andy was born. My baby brother John died of complications to his heart and lungs. My parents were older and had prayed earnestly for more children. After my brother John died and we found out that my mom was expecting again, I was so scared. I remember, as a 12 year old girl, praying daily for a healthy baby. I guess this miraculous baby makes God the hero. But Andy is a hero for following my parents to Bolivia where they are missionaries with Campus Crusade for Christ. He has learned the language and is sharing his faith with a fervor that is seldom seen in 14 year old kids. He encourages my mother when she is homesick and keeps my Dad laughing. I truly believe that God blessed my parents with Andy knowing that they would need him to fulfill their calling overseas.

What do you do in your free time?
I like to read, cook, and clean the house. I LOVE cleaning the house. I also like to play with my 85 pound black labrador retriever. She likes to play ball with her chuck-it at Lincoln Park.

In NCC:THE MOVIE who would play you? Who would play Pastor Mark?
I would be played by Jennifer Love Hewitt ( I don’t know, she’s tall, thin, and has brown hair, sure) and Adam Sandler would be Pastor Mark.

What is your favorite Pastor Markism?
God is in the business of positioning people in the right place at the right time.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 at 8:38 am and is filed under Small Group Leaders, Spotlights. 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.