Meet the Women at NAOBC – Jessica Kratzer
On Mondays, we’ll take time to meet the women of NAOBC. Five questions followed by how you can connect with the NAOBC women on social media. Today’s interview is with Jessica Kratzer.
Q: Tell us about yourself
A: I grew up in Louisville and met my husband, Daustin, in the youth group at Ninth in O in 2001. We started dating in the fall of 2002 and were married at the church in May 2007. This year will be our 15th wedding anniversary. We have 3 children, Sadie who is 12, Brodie who is 9 (almost 10), and Gradie who is 6. I have a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Learning and Behavior disorders from Bellarmine University. I taught school for a few years before I had children, then I was a full-time stay-at-home mom for 11 years. In June of 2021, I became the preschool director at Ninth & O.
Q: Tell us about your time at NAOBC
A: My family joined Ninth and O in 1993 when I was in third grade. I have been here the rest of my life, except for 3 years when my husband was serving at a church in Tennessee. My husband and I are a part of the IC1 BFG and we love that group! I have served in a number of areas over the years including roles in leadership in our BFG, the college ministry, and my most favorite and longest area of service, the preschool ministry. I have always loved serving the youngest members of our church and their families and I am now privileged to get to do it as my job!
Q: What is a fun fact that most people wouldn’t know about you?
A. I love a good murder mystery or true-crime podcast! I also love the TV series, The Office. Daustin and I have watched the complete series over 12 times.
Q: What woman has made the most impact in your life?
A: My mom, Ella, has made a tremendous impact in my life. As I grew up, and even now, she is so sacrificial in her love for her family. She loved my Dad and me so fiercely and would do anything for us, and now shows the same love to her son-in-law and grandchildren. She loves the Lord and the church and has served faithfully here for as long as I can remember. She always puts others before herself. She showed me how to be a wife and mother who loves the Lord first, then her husband and children second.
Q: What is something the Lord has taught you in the last year?
A: In the last year, the Lord has grown me in so many ways. One way has been learning to trust Him even in the smallest ways. Often, I found myself trusting Him in the “big” areas of life but I was still trying to micro-manage all the small things on my own. This was especially true while transitioning to being a part-time working mom instead of a full-time stay-at-home mom. This often led me to become anxious and stressed. But the Lord, in His grace, has shown me in those times I can trust that He is going to provide in the ways He sees are best and that no amount of stress or anxiety is going to change things. Resting in the knowledge and peace that He is in control has allowed me to become a much less stressed and anxious wife, mom, and friend.
You can follow Jessica on Facebook and Instagram @jkratzer07
