Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Gloria
Lattanzio! Gloria and her husband, Tom
reside in the home he built for their family in Clinton, Beaver County. They are parents to three grown daughters,
Maria, Angela, and Laura. They are also
grandparents to five grandchildren ranging in age from five to eighteen months.
At West Ridge, Gloria is leading the Titus 2 Ministry in addition to teaching
in the Children’s Ministry part-time.
Gloria’s testimony involves some twists and turns and a few
stints in different churches. Growing
up, Gloria was exposed church but did not attend it regularly. Even though she and Tom married in the
church, she felt no real connection to it. “I just knew in my heart I could
talk to God myself.” Gloria said. It was
not until 1978, after her husband Tom, gave his life to Christ, did Gloria
decide to accept Jesus as her Savior as well.
Thirty-four years later, Gloria is happy to call West Ridge as her
church home.
Currently, Gloria is hard at work putting the finishing
touches on the Titus 2 Ministry and is excited to see it begin on October 9th. “My greatest challenge was getting this
ministry off the ground. I wondered what
do young women really need in their life right now. What did I need when I was
a young Christian? My life verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything
through Christ who gives me strength.” Gloria
stressed, “You can’t go through the whole day without having Christ first in
your life.”
Inspired by many women who have mentored her over the years,
Gloria is looking forward to beginning this new ministry and sharing with the
younger ladies, “I have a heart for mothers, especially young women who are new
Christians.” Gloria pointed out that a mentor is sometimes more than one
person. It can be a group of people who are in your life for a long time or
just a season. Gloria lovingly recalls
how her mother-in-law and older women from her previous church families helped
to mentor her when she was new in her faith.
She also emphasized that we can have Christ as our mentor as well.
The goals of the new ministry will include pointing women to
Christ as their mentor, figuring out who they are in Christ and understanding
it, how to become a prayer warrior, and how to really study God’s Word. Gloria
is hopeful that the ladies being mentored will take all of this knowledge and
try new and different things, “I want them to take what they have learned and try
what God has for their life.”
There are three other mentors who will be mentoring the
younger ladies alongside Gloria. The mentors will take two or three women each
and work with them. They will be calling
those they are mentoring and checking in with them, in addition to their
monthly meetings. They will also be keeping
prayer journals. It will be a great commitment of time and energy but Gloria
believes there will be lasting rewards, “One of our goals is that the women who
are being mentored in this program, will then in turn, become mentors
themselves to other ladies.”
Now it’s time to get to know Gloria, a bit better… It’s time
for the Super Six Questions!
1. Are you a morning person or night owl?
Morning person! I’m usually up by 6:30.
I like to have my “quiet time” in the mornings.
2. What was the last book you read? “Eat Your
Green Peas” by Cheryl Karpen
3. What is your favorite way to relax?
Turning off the phone and spending time with my husband and family.
4. What would you have for the perfect meal?
Salmon, a vegetable, and salad
5. What is your favorite Scripture to meditate
on in times of stress? As I said earlier, Philippians 4:13 is my life
verse. When I am stressed I have to be in Christ so I can hear Him!
6. What is your favorite thing about West
Ridge? I love the teaching that Pastor John does but I also love the people! We have people there who love the Lord. It is
exciting to see the new people coming in as well. It’s also the people I work with in the
Children’s Ministry and the children I teach.
It is like having family there.
If you are interested in learning more about the Titus 2
Ministry or have questions, please feel free to email Gloria at: gloria.lattanzio@gmail.com.
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