Jamie Efnor reflects on faith, family, and finding home
Jamie Efnor's connection to St. Andrew Lutheran Church stretches across nearly her entire life. From childhood faith formation to leadership and now raising her own family here, St. Andrew has been a constant presence through every season.
“I feel like I’ve lived a full life here — and I still have so much more ahead of me.”
Growing Up at St. Andrew
Although Jamie wasn’t baptized at St. Andrew herself, her childhood was firmly rooted here. Her younger sister was baptized at the church, and from there St. Andrew became the place where Jamie’s faith and community took shape.
She grew up participating in Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, church camp, and mission trips — experiences that were woven naturally into everyday life and helped form the foundation of her faith.
Mission Trips That Changed Everything
As Jamie got older, mission trips became especially impactful. After participating in middle school and high school trips, she felt drawn to serve more deeply and went on three mission trips to Haiti — each with a different family member.
“On a mission trip, you’re completely drenched in the Holy Spirit.”
Those experiences, she says, are hard to fully explain unless you’ve lived them. Even years later, moments in everyday life still spark memories from Haiti — reminders of how deeply those trips shaped her understanding of faith, service, and the world.
Stepping Into Leadership
After graduating from college, Jamie felt an unexpected pull to step into leadership at St. Andrew. At just 24 years old, she became a confirmation leader, guiding a small group of energetic middle school boys — an experience that was both eye‑opening and formative.
Later, Jamie served on the church council from 2018 to 2020, navigating leadership during the challenges of the pandemic. During that time, she helped reenergize the young adult ministry, working with Pastor Matthew and others to reconnect with people in their 20s and 30s who had drifted away.
Full Circle: Faith, Marriage, and Motherhood
Today, Jamie’s relationship with St. Andrew has come full circle. She and her husband were married at the church in 2019, and now they are raising three children — all baptized at St. Andrew.
One especially meaningful moment was the baptism of her first child on Christmas Day, an unconventional and unforgettable experience made possible when her child’s godparents happened to be in town for the holiday.
“I’ve gone from being someone’s kid at church to realizing — I’m a real person here too.”
Why She Keeps Coming Back
When asked why she and her family continue to come to St. Andrew, Jamie jokes that it’s for the donuts — but quickly notes it’s really about the people.
She values the strong sense of fellowship and the relationships that grow beyond Sunday mornings. Now, as a parent, she sees the church as a safe and supportive place for her children — a community that prays for them, encourages them, and walks alongside them as they grow.
“I want my kids to know there’s a whole group of people cheering them on.”