Where were you born?
I was born in Albany, Georgia. My mom was born and raised in a small town near there. My dad was born in New York and grew up in the Bronx.

What did your parents do for a living?
My mother worked for Southern Bell telephone and telegraph company from the age of eighteen until she retired after forty years. My dad worked for a regional auto parts firm as the advertising manager.

Tell us about your family?
My wife Susan and I have been married for twenty-eight years. I'm an only child and Susan has a younger brother. We have four cats: two we chose, that live indoors, and two who just recently chose us, that live outside.

What's in your cd player?
Interacciones (Spanish 201 laboratory audio cd). I like a variety of music. I listen to everything from the Samuel Barber Adagio to Nine Inch Nails. In the car my radio pretty much stays on National Public Radio.

What's your favorite sporting event to watch in the Olympics?
Volleyball - the indoor version.

What was your first job?
At age 11, I worked in my uncle's grocery store, cleaning and stocking shelves, cutting meat, bagging groceries, etc., for twenty-five cents an hour.

What was your childhood ambition?
I wanted to attend the United States Air Force Academy and become an astronaut.

What's your favorite movie?
It's very tough to narrow it down to one. I guess I'll say, Ground Hog Day or The Matrix.

What's one goal you have for the coming year?
I want to spend some quality time with as many of the active participants of Crozet Baptist as I can.

What's your idea of a perfect day?
Hiking with Susan to Angel's Landing in Zion National Park.

What's your definition of a retreat?
A retreat is any time or place that one is able to think about something other than the daily concerns of life, or at least to consider the daily concerns of life in a creative, unconventional way.

What do you look for in a close friend?
I look for someone who is not afraid of intellectual debate, who is well read and interested in a variety of subjects. I look for someone who will help me to become a better person.

What are some of your biggest challenges?
1. Being tactful
2. Staying focused
3. Being clear and succinct

What do you think makes a good leader?
Some of the qualities of leadership will vary from situation to situation depending on the goals that a group is trying to achieve. In the context of a Christian church, a good leader must possess a firm set of core beliefs, and a clear understanding of what's right and important. A good leader must have an  intimate knowledge and understanding of the people that he or she is trying to lead. A good leader will create the kinds of quality relationships that will allow for the modeling, encouragement and admonition needed to accomplesh group goals and to grow healthy, passionate disciples of Jesus Christ.

Where were you born?
Ullyses, Kansas. My parents (tho' from South Indiana) moved a lot before I was three. From there we moved to Warren, Illinois, and then the family settled in Crawfordsville, Indiana, which I consider my hometown.

What did your parents do for a living?
My dad, Howard, a Purdue University Agriculture major, managed Dekalb Seed Corn plants straight out of college. My mom, Alice, held many secretarial / administrative jobs, but for most of my childhood was the Office Manager for Dr. Baird, our family physician.

Tell us about your family?
I am the youngest of three girls. I married Paul Titus, Esq., July 31, 1993. I have three children from a previous marriage: Matthew, Zachary, and Morgan. Of course, last but not least, is Maxwell Titus. We have two dogs: Misty and Dobie.

What's in your cd player?
I have a six cd player - Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds at Carnegie Hall; Caedmon's Call; Norah Jones; A Moe Mix for her ma; Michael Franti and Spearhead; Los Lobos.

What's your favorite sporting event to watch in the Olympics?
It used to be ice skating, but probably now, gymnastics.

What was your first job?
I worked in the cornfields detasseling corn. It was a hot and sweaty job - involving sunburn, corn poisoning and minimum wage.

What was your childhood ambition?
To compete in the Olympics in track and field. Though I felt called to the ministry at the age of eight - but didn't think girls could be anything but nuns, vocationally speaking. I was not Catholic and even at eight years old I knew that a husband was in my future.

What's your favorite movie?
Hmm, that is a hard one. So I'll put in a quirky family favorite, Cold Comfort Farm. And probably, Moulin Rouge and Love Actually.

What's one goal you have for the coming year?
Balancing what I have done over the past nine years at CBC with what I am now called to do.

What's your idea of a perfect day?
So many versions. But it must involve relaxed, unhurried time with family and friends - great background music and nature filled views (be it mountains, the lake, or farm land).

What's your definition of a retreat?
Two: a Havana roof top, and in my jammies on the farm.

What do you look for in a close friend?
Depth, ability to laugh at self and me, compassion, courage, grace and last but most importantly authenticity / honesty.

What are your biggest challenges?
Doing what I feel is right, and being concerned about popular opinion (THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR BAPTIST PASTORS). Secondly, remaining authentic to who I am. I know that most would say that this seems to be a challenge I have overcome. CBC is blessed with a good sense of humor and a heart filled with compassion. I consider it a stellar moment when Billy James says, "Girl, you just ain't right, " while he stands beside me partnering in ministry. I think for some, though, belly laughing can seem contradictory to a serious call to a spiritually deep life and Christian commitment. I beg to differ. I believe the joy of a soul overflowing is a gift to an often far too cynical world.

What do you think makes a good leader?
"Integrity and authenticity. Know who you are and do not try to be someone else." That is a quote from a friend of mine, Rev. Brian Hughes. But I would also say, do and say the right thing when it needs to be said. Now I am not saying that leaders need to put sirens on their heads and hand out tickets to offenders. However, when someone in their faith community repeatedly breaks bad - spiritual leaders must speak lovingly, but sternly to them. Grace is as much a part of guidance as the correction.