Sharon Iskra, 39, was working as a lawyer when she decided to switch careers and serve as children's minister at Charleston Baptist Temple. She said God has provided the tools she needs for the job as well as the courage to face the challenge of cancer.
But deep in her soul was a nagging feeling that there was more God wanted her to do.
"I had come to a point in my life I wanted to make God the center of my life," she said. "I felt beckoned to do that. I told my husband, 'I don't know what it is I am to do but God has to be the center.'"
She began helping with activities for children and youth at Charleston Baptist Temple. Still, she felt it was not enough.
She called the Rev. Dennis Johnson, who asked her to come to his office because he knew what her role was to be. She showed up with notepad in hand ready to make a list of duties she could perform. Instead, he suggested she fill a newly vacated position of children's minister.
"I was floored and said I would think and pray about it," she said. "In March of 2006, I accepted the position on a part-time volunteer basis."
She also kept her regular job as she tentatively tested the waters.
"I just wanted to be sure," she said. "It's not like me to jump into something."
However, she could still feel the constant and gentle tug of God's will until she accepted the position full time in October 2006.
"God just will not let you go," she said. "He stays on you. Everything I read, what I heard on the radio, messages in my devotionals, circumstances, and the feeling I had in my heart when I prayed all pointed this way."
And she does not regret it for one second.
"I love it," she said. "This is my highest and best use. It takes all of me and I love it."
With her background in law, she wondered if she would be fully qualified for the position. However, she has studied on her own and used resources at the church as well as the encouragement of parents. She has found everything she needs.
"I found out God is limitless," she said. "I kept trying to put limits on what I could do. When God wants you to do something, he gives you what you need. He can use someone as imperfect as me. He has done it since Adam and Eve. Time and again he has used the most unlikely people."
Johnson said it is ironic that Iskra has no theological training but is indeed the best children's minister he has ever seen. She works well with children and parents and makes connections that can bring new families into the church.
"She has had a significant impact on the ministry of the church," Johnson said. "She writes her own curriculum. She does a lot of hands-on stuff."
Iskra, who was an Army brat, moved around every three years as she was growing up. "It was normal for me. It was hard to leave friends but it makes you adaptable so you adjust to any new situation."
She graduated in 1991 from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she majored in journalism, speech and communications. She went to law school at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., where she met her future husband, Eric Iskra, who is now a Charleston attorney. They married in 1997. They are the parents of Hannah, 8, and Ian, 5.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Sharon Iskra had a fulfilling life as a wife, mother, and lawyer.
But deep in her soul was a nagging feeling that there was more God wanted her to do.
"I had come to a point in my life I wanted to make God the center of my life," she said. "I felt beckoned to do that. I told my husband, 'I don't know what it is I am to do but God has to be the center.'"
She began helping with activities for children and youth at Charleston Baptist Temple. Still, she felt it was not enough.
She called the Rev. Dennis Johnson, who asked her to come to his office because he knew what her role was to be. She showed up with notepad in hand ready to make a list of duties she could perform. Instead, he suggested she fill a newly vacated position of children's minister.
"I was floored and said I would think and pray about it," she said. "In March of 2006, I accepted the position on a part-time volunteer basis."
She also kept her regular job as she tentatively tested the waters.
"I just wanted to be sure," she said. "It's not like me to jump into something."
However, she could still feel the constant and gentle tug of God's will until she accepted the position full time in October 2006.
"God just will not let you go," she said. "He stays on you. Everything I read, what I heard on the radio, messages in my devotionals, circumstances, and the feeling I had in my heart when I prayed all pointed this way."
And she does not regret it for one second.
"I love it," she said. "This is my highest and best use. It takes all of me and I love it."
With her background in law, she wondered if she would be fully qualified for the position. However, she has studied on her own and used resources at the church as well as the encouragement of parents. She has found everything she needs.
"I found out God is limitless," she said. "I kept trying to put limits on what I could do. When God wants you to do something, he gives you what you need. He can use someone as imperfect as me. He has done it since Adam and Eve. Time and again he has used the most unlikely people."
Johnson said it is ironic that Iskra has no theological training but is indeed the best children's minister he has ever seen. She works well with children and parents and makes connections that can bring new families into the church.
"She has had a significant impact on the ministry of the church," Johnson said. "She writes her own curriculum. She does a lot of hands-on stuff."
Iskra, who was an Army brat, moved around every three years as she was growing up. "It was normal for me. It was hard to leave friends but it makes you adaptable so you adjust to any new situation."
She graduated in 1991 from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she majored in journalism, speech and communications. She went to law school at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., where she met her future husband, Eric Iskra, who is now a Charleston attorney. They married in 1997. They are the parents of Hannah, 8, and Ian, 5.
Sharon Iskra, 39, worked as an attorney for 10 years with lawyer Jim Lees. She worked part-time for U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Stanley for two years before accepting her current position as children's minister.
Lees said Iskra was a law partner and friend.
"She became just about my best friend," he said. "She was a terrific lawyer and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. I was devastated when she left after she had her second child."
However, he could see her trying to juggle motherhood with the hectic duties of a lawyer with trials, depositions and traveling.
"It was killing her not to be with her children," he said. "I could see the handwriting on the wall."
So, he understood when she took a part-time position and is thrilled that she has found her niche.
"I would practice law with her again in a heartbeat," he said. "She seems clearly to be as happy as I have ever seen her. I am just so glad she is happy. The church is blessed to have her."
Iskra finds her job energizing and loves teaching children Bible basics.
"God can do whatever he wants with me," she said. "I have flaws and weaknesses. I can only empty myself and ask him to fill me up. He is working on me."
She added she learns lots of things from the kids like "patience, joy, love the simple things, and never stop asking questions."
She has loved her role but life has not been without hurdles.
What has been her greatest challenge?
"Breast cancer," she answers without hesitation. "I was diagnosed in September of 2007. I had surgery, chemo, radiation and I lost my hair. It's coming back now. Children still love you. God is what got me through. My family, friends, and members of this church never stopped praying for me."
She sees only the good that came from that experience.
"It has taught me more than ever to trust God," she said. "He is in control. It taught me not to be afraid. God is limitless."
Charleston Baptist Temple is located at 209 Morris St. in downtown Charleston. Check out the Web site www.chasbt.org or call (304) 346-9627 for more information about service times and programs.
Vacation Bible School is set for 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 4 to 8 with the theme "Friendship Trek" for preschool through fifth grade. There will be music, crafts, games and dinner each day. Everything is free and open to the community. To pre-register, call the church at (304) 346-9627.
Kudos to this amazing woman who has recognized that living life is all about giving back to the children. We, as adults, whether parents or not, can always sow back into a childs life through positive mentoring. And it's the simple and random acts of kindness that make all the difference in the world. I, too am about to embark on a life changing decision that will empower, encourage, and offer hope to those who need it and all because I too want to make a difference. When we begin to pour out Godly wisdom, guidance, and unconditional love to one another whether child or adult, then the rewards are priceless. Much success to this beautiful lady.
