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Introducing Caressa Lynn Murray
Caressa Lynn Murray earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology at Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport, Louisiana. She attended Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas, then transferred to Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary where she earned a Master of Divinity degree in addition to completing all course work required for PC (USA) Christian Educator Certification. Caressa is a member of First Presbyterian Church, Garland, Texas, and a PC (USA) candidate for ordained ministry.
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Although this will be Caressa's first ordained call, she already has several years of experience in children, youth and adult ministries. Caressa comes to WPC with more than five years of experience in youth ministry on the local, presbytery, synod and national levels of the Presbyterian Church. She has served as Director of Youth Ministries and Director of Kid's Club in Carrollton, Texas. During that time, Caressa served on the Youth Ministry Committee of Grace Presbytery where she co-directed and developed a leadership program for youth. She has developed and directed vacation bible schools, Sunday school classes, small groups and several youth conferences. She currently serves on staff of the Synod of the Sun's Youth Conference as the Small Group Resource Coordinator and Curriculum Writer.
During seminary, Caressa completed a nine-month teaching church internship at Hope Presbyterian Church, Austin, Texas, which focused on worship leadership, preaching, and adult education. As a Chaplain at Children's Medical Center of Dallas, she gained valuable experience as a pastor, leader, and counselor of children, youth and their families. She served the seminary community as a Deacon and as Director and Childcare Provider of the After-School Program at Austin Seminary. In recent months, Caressa was keynote speaker at a youth conference for Tres Rios Presbytery.
Caressa has known a life of calling to the pastoral and educational ministries of Christ's church. As the daughter of a Presbyterian minister and a church educator, she was reared in the faith and highly involved in the life of the church. From an early age, she recognized the benefits as well as the struggles a life of ministry entailed. Her experiences in the community of faith and youth conferences shaped her faith and ignited her call to ministry. The church provided a place for Caressa to build relationships and explore her faith by questioning, listening, and discerning in a loving Christian community.
Caressa is married to her best friend of 12 years, Jonathan Murray. Jonathan is also a recent graduate of Austin Seminary and a PC (USA) candidate for ordained ministry. Though they both went to college for degrees in the medical field, they have listened to God's call and have embarked on this journey of ministry side by side. In her spare time, Caressa enjoys cooking, reading, being outside, time with friends and family, and playing and watching sports.
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©2008 Webster Presbyterian Church • 201 West NASA Parkway • Webster, TX 77598 • Phone 281.332.1251 • Fax 281.557.9552
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