Pamela describes her call to ministry as a gradual process, including pastors who mentored her in childhood as well as a “pivotal shoulder tap” when her pastor encouraged her to consider seminary as a young adult. As a student at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Pamela says “she felt a strong sense of coming home because of the community, music, creative worship, and commit­ments to service, peace, social justice, and biblical integrity.”

She left home at 18 to serve as a medic in the Army. She learned much about life and death serving on a primarily geriatric hospital ward. Over time she discerned that military service was not compatible with her faith commitment. She says, “I marvel at God’s healing. I received incredible help from Jesus, family, friends, and others, which led to a true conversion experi­ence.” She adds, “My heart aches in regard to conflict in the world. I seek to be attentive to issues of justice and continue to explore how to live faithfully as a peacemaker.”