Dear Readers,

My name is Linda Merrick, and I am the new associate editor of internal publications. As part of my job description I will be focusing on publications that specifically involve the members of the United Church of God. I will edit and layout United News. I will also put together publications involving Ambassador Bible College, such as pictorials. Another important aspect of my job is taking care of the members website. I will upload articles, create banners, and maintain it.

I am not just writing to explain my job, but to introduce myself. I was born and raised in Hammond, Indiana, about 30 minutes from downtown Chicago. I grew up in the Church as well.

After high school I attended Purdue University Calumet pursuing a degree in elementary education. While at Purdue I spent several years working for the student-run newspaper, The Chronicle. This is where I gained the majority of my experience on how to run, edit and layout a newspaper. I was the production manager for most of my time at Purdue, and I was the managing editor for part of the time.

Attending Purdue was more about life experience for me. I did not receive a degree from the university, but received much experience working with publications and experience in teaching.

In 2007 I decided it would be best to take some time off from school and go to Ambassador Bible Center. I graduated from ABC in 2008 and stayed in Cincinnati to work and save a little money. I went back to school and received my bachelor of science degree in early childhood education at the University of Cincinnati. I spent the last four years teaching preschool here in the Cincinnati area and have enjoyed it immensely.

This summer while I was out of work for summer vacation, two of my roommates encouraged me to apply for this job. I always enjoyed layout design and ran with every opportunity to work with design during my years teaching. So I decided I would apply for the job and allow God to guide me where he wanted me. I prayed that if God wanted me to work for the Church He would open the door to this job, and if He wanted me to continue teaching He would close the door.

God opened the door, and I was offered the job. I was torn at first because I also love teaching. However God answered my prayer, and I had to follow Him.

Here I am today, doing what else I love. Over the past few months I have read this verse several times: “But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.’” Here Ruth had the same idea when she followed both Naomi and God. I must follow God and allow Him to lead me where He will. I look forward to connecting to brethren through this new phase in my life!

Sincerely,

Linda Merrick