Our Spotlight this week is on Sandy Rivera, Administrative Assistant. Sandy grew up with 11 other siblings, she being number 10. She laughs as she explained how she was supposed to be the youngest until the other two came along and ruined it for her. She grew up in New Lenox and eventually moved to Berwyn, a suburb of Chicago, to raise her family. She attended the Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL., until graduating, earning a degree in Psychology and then began a career in banking. She is a single mom of three adult children; Diandra, Angel and Giovanni. She adores her two-year-old grandson Mateo, and loves being his “Grammy.”

She moved to Cape Girardeau in 2012 where she continued her career in banking until health issues caused her to leave the field. She feels that God lead her to Centenary, as it is a part-time job but one where she could make a difference and be of service to others. Sandy’s title is “Administrative Assistant,” which comes with many duties and responsibilities. She makes it all flow–collecting, organizing and printing the Sunday Bulletin, coordinates church volunteers, keeps the church calendar current with events, classes and meetings, welcomes visitors, assists the Pastor and answers the many calls that come into the office. Like I said, “a woman with many hats”.

Sandy gives a lot of her spare time to ministry as her health and time allows. She serves as a table leader with “Walk to Emmaus,” attends 3 bible study groups, active with Stephens Ministry, member of a small group women’s band, and involved in the “IF Gathering,” being hosted by LaCroix church. She has an immense love for God and is dedicated to helping people grow in their relationship to Him. While many scriptures apply to different aspects of her life, her most beloved bible verse is, Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Sandy is the first smiling face you see as you come into the office. She is the first impression for those first-time visitors. She’s a wealth of information and if she doesn’t know the answer, she will find it. Her reward: making a difference. I have gotten to know Sandy on a more personal level since writing C-Mail and I have found her to be kindhearted and always eager to help. We are fortunate to have her here at Centenary to help represent our church.