Ailena’s passion for reaching children with the hope of Christ has been evident from the time she became an adult, but if you had told her years ago that one day she would speak in front of over 200 people, she would have thought you were crazy. But then there is God…. God has prepared her for her leadership role throughout her life. Some of the things that led her to love investing in children were working with kids at church, VBS, caring for school teachers’ children during the school year and volunteering at her children’s schools. Ailena considers herself an ordinary person that God chose, equipped, and called to this position. She feels that she leads many people that hold a lot more knowledge, wisdom, and degrees than she will ever have and is humbled that God choose her as the director of SMSC. Being a part of a ministry that gets to share about Jesus brings Ailena great joy.

 

Her personal desire is for others to see Jesus in her life. Her aim is to always follow the Lord and share His love in every opportunity. She loves building relationships with staff, schools, churches, and anyone that crosses her path. Leading by example and servant leadership are principles she lives by. Some of her aspirations for SMSC are to be in step with Christ and give Him glory for everything that takes place. She also wants others to know SMSC, as a group of believers in Christ, stand in unity with Christ-followers of all denominations. Her goal is that we all work together to grow the Kingdom of God by living in the power Jesus provides so that whatever we do would be done to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

 

Ailena sees and is thankful for the unchanging power of God’s Word working in her life, the lives of students, and our teachers as they learn His Word and let it transform their hearts and minds. She sees this as a demonstration of one of her favorite Bible verses:

“The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8

 

Ailena met her high school sweetheart at Community Cash. Their high schools were rivals so on their first date to a football game where they were playing each other, they stood the entire game not choosing either team! Scott and Ailena have been married for 41 years and have three sons, three daughters-in-love, along with three grandsons. She enjoys spending time with her family, church family and singing in her church choir. In pretty weather, you can find her outside working with flowers, taking walks, and delighting in God’s beautiful creation.