Ellie joined the Gashland team in July of 2021. She graduated from Covenant College in 2020 with degrees in English and Art, and she focused on poetry, mixed media, and theology within those fields of study. Her primary interest is in the interactions between art and the church, why they’re important for each other, and how art can better be used as a tool for evangelism. She and her fiancé Lake McGinty are planning on getting married on October 16th, 2021 in Danville, KY, which is Ellie’s hometown, and they plan to live in Gladstone, MO afterward. They both hope to go to seminary someday as well and further pursue ministry and service to the church.

What is one book you could read over and over again?

I know it says just one, but I’m an avid reader, so there are so many. I’ve read the Harry Potter series more times than I can count, but I could also read The Giver series by Lois Lowry, the A Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L’engle, and The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart over and over again.

What is a movie you have watched over and over again?

Beauty and the Beast (live action)

What is your current favorite song?

Pale Moonlight by The Gray Havens.

What is a song that will always be one of your favorites?

Too Good by Jess Ray.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I love preparing for worship on Sundays, getting to use my love of writing and theology to write prayers and transitions as well as come up with ways to better express the gospel in song. I also thoroughly enjoy creating and being a part of The Porch and am looking forward to pursuing that further. 

What led you to pursue ministry?

I grew up in a Christian home with a dad who was an incredible musician, and the worship leader at every church we attended. I began playing violin when I was seven, and then singing when I was ten. In middle school, I joined the worship team at church under my dad’s leadership, and learned more about the behind the scenes of leading on Sunday mornings. Christmas of my freshman year of high school, I received a guitar and took every opportunity to learn and lead with it. In college, I became the primary worship leader for Reformed University Fellowship, a college ministry, and it was there that I began to feel led to pursue ministry. Making music and making it with excellence, while also using it to express both joy and lament, are all things that I learned while leading with RUF and things I have a passion for in the church.

My junior year of college, I put on an art exhibit about joy and lament at my home church, Grace PCA in Danville, KY. All of the artists were members of the church, all different ages, skill sets, and mediums, and it was that event that opened the doors for me to pursue what art means for God’s people. Worship is one way of exploring that interaction. As an artist, I’ve learned and am still learning what it means to glorify God in the things I make, and my hope and reason for pursuing ministry is to help others see that art matters to God and that it can be glorifying to Him and helpful to His people for understanding the brokenness of life, but also who God is.