WESTGATE STAFF:

Ann Taylor McNiece
Assistant to Community Group Pastor and Women's Event Coordinator

ann@westgatechurch.org

Vitals:
I was a very serious little kid, and I can remember kneeling by the couch when I was 4 years old to ask Jesus to come into my heart. Even though I’m only in my mid-twenties, I’ve been a Christian for a long time! I grew up in the ski resort town of Mammoth Lakes, CA, and moved to the Bay Area for college. I attended Stanford University and earned a BA in Sociology with a Spanish minor. During my time at Stanford, I was deeply involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, where I learned a lot about ministry and leadership. I even went on a Summer Project in Lake Tahoe, where I met a boy from the University of Minnesota named Matthew. A year and a half later, we were married, and he dragged me out to Minnesota where he was working to become a teacher. After an internship at our church there in the Twin Cities, I was accepted to Western Seminary in Los Gatos. We moved back in the summer of 2006 so I could work on a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. In December I was hired at WestGate to work in a few areas that are very close to my heart: Women’s Ministries and Community Groups! I love to see people grow through relationships and mentoring.

A Few Of My Favorite Thing:
I love the beach and the mountains (which is why I had to get out of the Midwest)! I have a lot of creative energy, and my best outlet so far has been my cooking. I love to come up with new recipes and to serve them to my friends and family. Matt and I watch lots of movies—mostly comedies, and we love to read kids’ books out-loud to each other. So far we’ve gotten through the Chronicles of Narnia, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and parts of the Sisters Grimm series.

What Ifs:
"What If You Weren't in Ministry?
Well, I’m going to be a therapist, but I consider that ministry, too! In my wildest dreams, I would be a jazz singer in a sparkly dress…maybe on a cruise ship!
"What If You Could Spend time with any famous historical person?"
I discovered Ella Fitzgerald in July of 1996 (she died in June of 1996). Since then, she’s about all I listen to! She’s really influenced my singing style. I don’t know about her lifestyle, but I think it would be fun to hear some stories, get some singing tips, and enjoy her voice!