Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Kasey has called Memphis home for the past five years. She grew up going to Kamp Kanakuk, located in Branson, Missouri, with her younger sister. At camp, she saw a reenactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and decided to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Although she knew she had a relationship with the Lord since sixth grade, looking back, she realizes that there was a lot that she did not understand – specifically about the Lord’s grace and mercy. It wasn’t until her senior year of college at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, that she fully grasped these concepts. Kasey strayed away from the Lord during a season in college and found herself overwhelmed with grace and mercy when she came back to Him.
Kasey received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Evangel University while playing softball and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Missouri State University. She worked with high school girls in Haiti for four months during a social work internship. It was in these four months that Kasey’s passion for high school girls ignited. She knew that regardless of her career path, she was being called to high school girls. While contemplating her “next steps,” she worked as a camp counselor at Kids Across America (KAA). She unexpectedly learned about MAM from current President and Chief Executive Officer Randy Odom who was visiting camp to recruit staff. After speaking to Randy, Kasey felt confident that Memphis was where she belonged. She moved to Memphis a couple of weeks later and began working part-time at MAM Hamilton. She has worked at MAM since 2014 and now serves as a full-time Youth Coordinator.
Kasey participated in the Downline Ministries Institute, a nine-month discipleship program designed to equip young adults in Biblical knowledge. She describes this nine-month period as the biggest impact on her walk with Jesus. She truly learned what it looks like to be discipled and to disciple others. Discipling high school girls is her favorite part about working at MAM. What an honor it is to walk alongside high school girls and witness spiritual growth! One of her highlights of the past year is seeing the “disciple tree” grow, as two high school girls are now discipling two middle school girls at MAM Hamilton. Kasey also enjoys coaching flag football and volleyball, and she even led her teams to a championship trophy in both sports.
Kasey describes the MAM Hamilton staff as both a family and an army going to war for the sake of the kids. She is thankful for the close relationships that she has with fellow staff. Reflecting over her five-year career at MAM, Kasey is once again overwhelmed by grace. She has been shown grace by coworkers and by kids. When she feels hurt by one of the students at MAM Hamilton, she is challenged to show the student the same grace that Jesus has for her. She has truly learned the seriousness of the great commission. Although ministry is challenging at times, Kasey finds rest in the rewarding moments.
