WESLEY STAFF
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
Sadie Brink | Campus Minister
I am a lifelong United Methodist and grew up in the church, but college was the time where I really came into my faith and started building a relationship with God. I felt my call to ministry on a mission trip my junior year of college and it changed my life. Because of my experience as a college student coming into her faith, I am passionate about serving and creating spaces for all college students to have their own experiences. This is an age group that is figuring out, often for the first time, what they believe for themselves and the local church often leaves them behind. I am passionate about offering them a space to feel welcome and figure out their faith.
I am the brand-new director at SHSU’s Wesley but for the past year I served as the director of Tyler Junior College’s Wesley Foundation. It is a unique Wesley Foundation because it also functions as a private Christian dorm on campus. I have also served on the Conference’s Board of Higher Education and Campus Ministry for the last 4 years, and on Lamar University’s Wesley Foundation Board for 2 years during my time in southeast Texas. The year after I graduated from college, I served as the Wesley Foundation intern at my alma mater in Austin. Campus ministry is my passion and I have always found ways to stay connected when full time campus ministry was not an option.
Here is a little about me as a person. I have my bachelors in anthropology from the University of Texas at Austin and my masters of divinity from SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. I was ordained by the Texas Annual Conference in May of 2021. My household is just me and my dog Ripley. She is an 11-pound terrier/chihuahua rescue. She was found outside my church a little over 4.5 years ago and we’ve been best buds ever since. Pre-pandemic I played roller derby for the Spindletop Rollergirls in Beaumont. It was such a fun stress reliever and one of the most welcoming communities I have been fortunate to be in. In the past year I have discovered a love of cycling through my local spin studio that compliments my half marathon training. As you might have guessed from the roller derby, I am a bit of an adventurer. I love to travel and if there is a fun adrenaline filled activity on these travels you can usually find me doing it. I ran the London Landmarks half-marathon with a fellow UMC pastor this past April and it was a blast. Overall, I am a pretty outgoing, energetic person. -Sadie
AJ James | Alumni/Donor Relations Intern
The Almuni/Donor Relations Intern works with the campus minister to keep our alumni and donors up to date! They maintain the alumni/donor database and work with the campus minister on the quarterly newsletter and any and all fundraising efforts.
Rianna Flores | Connections Intern
The Connections intern is the student behind the scenes making sure our students feel welcome and connected to the Wesley!
Zaniya Blake | Social Media Intern
The Media intern helps promote the Wesley through all forms of social media. They make sure to engage new and old members with posts about our upcoming events. As well as what’s going on around the Wesley.
Zaniya Blake is a Mass Communications Major with a Minor in Photography. She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and moved to Houston, Texas at the age of thirteen. She hopes to one day be as good as all the great names in film today. One of her favorite hobbies is photography and vlogging. Zaniya has grown up learning about God and wanted to continue growing her faith here with the Wesley.
Rylie Prince | Worship Intern
The worship intern at the Wesley manages the worship experience on Wednesday nights. Rylie's impressive performance skills and experience greatly raise the experience for all members. She organizes the Wesley's praise band to make sure all hearts are touched through worship each Wednesday night.
Rylie is a Psychology major with a minor in legal studies. She plans on attending law school after she graduates, and being a part-time worship leader to afford it. She has a love and passion for music and has been playing guitar since the 3rd grade! She can also play a bit of piano and ukulele. Fun Fact: She writes music as well. She is currently a worship leader at Lifepoint Christian Church in Bryan, Texas. She enjoys art, with a focus on drawing and painting. Some of her work has been featured in the annual SAA juried art show. She is incredibly talented and very humble, according to herself!
