Beltway Park is privileged to have an amazing Elementary Children's Pastor on-board, to shape our children in the ways of the Lord. Kimi Byington has been a Children's Minister at Beltway since 1999. While she helped her mom work with children in church, as she was growing up, she never anticipated being in a pastoral role, herself. "The Lord has a sense of humor, and I am humbled that He would use me!" Taking the job in 1999 was one of the biggest faith steps she has ever had to take, mainly because she had been planning to stay home with her children, and wasn't sure if she could juggle both. At that time, the position was part-time. "So, I asked the Lord, and waited for an answer. In the most funny and amazing ways, He made it very clear to me that this was His will for my life. And, it's been so good to be where He wanted me!"
Kimi operates in the spiritual gifts of Administration and Prophecy, and she is passionate about raising her children to know God's Word and love Jesus, while creating special memories with her family. (She enjoys helping this happen for other kids, as well!) She has been married to John for nearly 22 years, and they have 3 children, including their daughter, who is 17, and their 2 sons, ages 15 and 12. One awesome memory they were able to create, that she never imagined getting to experience, was the opportunity to spend five weeks in Alaska one summer! "Due to my husband's job and area of ministry, our whole family was able to experience Alaska together. It was awesome! And, I want to go back!!"
Wow! Now that's what I call making MEMORIES!!
Kimi feels that it is of utmost importance to take "Jesus time" often, in order to daily walk out her freedom in Christ. She tries to set her affections and thoughts on Him to allow Him to speak to her about various areas of her life. She also finds this to be a vital component to dealing with offense toward others. "He has taught me about how important it is to spend time with Him and get filled up with His presence, so that I am able to get perspective on my relationships. And then, I just try to listen to His voice and wait for His timing on how to handle situations with others."
In addition to spending quiet time with Jesus, she loves spending time with her family, and being involved in their activities. She also enjoys sports, camping, spending time in the mountains, working on puzzles, and cross-stitching (although, she admits she rarely has time to do that). In order to release anxiety, she gets quiet with the Lord, listens to praise music, watches a movie, or works-out.
She may have needed some anxiety relief during her younger years, following, what she deems as, her most embarrassing moment. "I was in a choir, and we were practicing Handel's Messiah for Christmas. As we got to the final pinnacle of 'hallelujah's' during the chorus, I sang the last 'hallelujah' all by myself, as everyone else was taking a breath. (There happened to be an extra pause in that stanza that I didn't know about.) I was the only one singing! It was so embarrassing, and I ducked so that nobody would see me, as they ALL looked back...but they knew it was me."
My hunch is that she may have had a really good workout, with praise music blaring after that rehearsal!!
In all seriousness, though, thanks, Kimi, for letting us get to know you a little better!
If you see Kimi around Beltway Park, be sure to give her a heartfelt thanks for all that she does! She truly is a priceless treasure, and we are so very blessed to have her!
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