Echo Winter 2025 - 10

By Jessica Whitmore, MA, Adjunct Professor, Communication & Media Arts Department
C
LBC's doctoral programs
truly have a global
reach! Current doctoral
students across four
programs hail from 29
states and 15 countries.
hristopher Ortiz ('21, '23 & '26) remembers
growing up and playing football in his backyard
with some neighborhood boys. Little did he
know he would eventually marry their sister,
SheLaine ('25). The two officially met when SheLaine
was a senior in high school and started to attend the
church where Christopher was a youth leader. While
Christopher grew up in a Christian home, knew the
Lord called him into ministry at age 14 and started
preaching at age 18, SheLaine grew up in a home with
no faith foundation or influence. In fact, she wasn't
interested in marriage or a family, as her goals were
simply focused on earning a business degree and
becoming a successful professional. That all changed,
however, as the two met, helped each other through
life's challenges and developed their friendship.
When the couple married in 2019, they aimed to
balance the desire to start a family and continue
their education, which also included credits earned
initially through a Bible institute-all while setting
the foundation for their own family and ministries.
This foundation has equipped the couple to serve in
pastoral leadership at Renewing Waters Church in East
Petersburg, Pa.
Christopher, a current Doctor of Ministry student
at LBC, recalls that while the first couple years of
married life were rough, he also held various roles
and responsibilities, from ministry to simply providing
for his growing family, even recalling he had eight
different jobs over one year. " There were moments of
doubt, victory, anger, frustration, " he shares. " I was like
a flower trying to bloom in winter. God connecting
with me allowed me to be in the right season to
bloom. " He continues to be amazed at his opportunity
to continue his education at the doctoral level with
one simple word: " Wow! "
SheLaine, who currently works in customer service
in the insurance industry, recalls working on her
bachelor's degree, balancing two pregnancies, caring
for her children, who are nearly 4 and 2½ years
old, maintaining a career, enduring the COVID-19
pandemic illnesses and restrictions, and even pausing
her education when pregnancy-related health
complications escalated.
" I wanted to quit (my education) many times, " she
remembers. However, as a first-generation college
student, her focus was to accomplish a personal
goal no one else in her family had achieved. She
recalls the support of her husband and those at LBC
helping her navigate through encouragement and
understanding while reminding her that she could do
it. " God has given me this opportunity and to show
this achievement to others that it is not too late, " she
shares, further adding she is humbled at earning her
degree and looks to continue her education at the
master's level. She has also appreciated the guidance
and connections she has had at LBC.
" I have enjoyed working with both Christopher and
SheLaine throughout their time at LBC, " shares Angie
Holsinger, LBC's Assistant Director of Financial Aid.
" I've especially loved hearing their stories as well as
witnessing their resilience and dependence on the
Lord amidst whatever life has thrown at them over
the years. Getting to know them has been a highlight
for me in the midst of assisting with their financial aid. "
While the couple places a focus on their individual
educational goals, they know their home is ultimately
the foundation for their legacy, personally and
professionally. Christopher, who currently mentors
troubled youth, shares that his personal goal is to
come home daily and know that he and SheLaine
have established the kingdom of God in their house.
" I see the failures of others at homes where all pieces
are not unified, but I want the best for my family, " he
shares. This focus has also allowed Christopher to
increase his maturity within his ministry roles with the
understanding that everyone has a ratio of good and
bad, but the goal is for the good to be better.
Their education has also aided them in sharing with
the community and expanding God's kingdom and
family by putting God first in all things. " Learn to love
God first and build on that, " Christopher shares, as he
adds that many Christians limit themselves. As the
two continue forward with their education and family,
which includes a recent pregnancy announcement
of their third child, their goal is to " let God do what
He wants in our life. "
10 ECHO
Echo Winter 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Winter 2025
