Philosophy of MinistryI have a passion to communicate the Word and construct communities wherein it thrives. I love to facilitate environments which allow people to experience authenticity in relationships, transformation in Christ, and empowerment for ministry. I believe Christians must regain confidence in their uniqueness, standing against selfishness, sameness, situational ethics, and pluralism so prevalent in our culture.

Personal SummaryGod invited me into this world in October, 1979. My childhood consisted of slinging cow patties, shucking corn, rivaling siblings, juggling sports and school, and struggling through the dichotomies of race, sex, and class. My rural Alabama Church reinforced these dichotomies, so with fear as my only guide, I prayed for salvation at eight years of age. I experienced no recognizable transformation. I lacked doctrine and discipleship. I learned to conform my behavior, customizing myself to the Church and culture rather than Christ. Religiosity stifled sanctification. I suffocated. Yet one memory remains highlighted from the pages of childhood: the gentle whisper of God saying, “You will be on the field one day.”

Throughout college and early years of my career, I lived a carnal, cultural Christianity. In 2004 God guided me to a life-giving Church in Birmingham, Alabama. There I discovered the spiritual gifts God gave me and served with a passion previously unknown. I came alive in the community surrounding me and opportunities for ministry abounded as spiritual growth exploded.

After serving in full-time ministry for seven years, I realized my lack of Biblical and theological understanding hindered my personal relationship with God and ability to minister His Word. In response to God’s prompting and my heart’s stirring, I enrolled at Dallas Theological Seminary where my thirst for truth and hunger for righteousness found their source in God and His Word.

In addition to God and people, I love traveling the world, gardening, exploring nature, playing the piano, sketching, engaging in deep conversations, reading classic British literature, and spoonfuls of peanut butter.

EDUCATION

DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY – DALLAS, TX (August 2014 – August 2016)Masters, Christian Education Emphasis: Women’s MinistryCumulative GPA: 4.0

AMY LEIGH BAMBERG

8200 Southwestern Boulevard #309Dallas, TX 75206

205.383.8247

amyleighbamberg@hotmail.comwww.baskingdom.wordpress.com

AUBURN UNIVERSITY – AUBURN, AL (JUNE 1998 – MAY 2002) Bachelors of Science, Landscape Horticulture Minor, Business

MINISTRY EXPERIENCE

DALLAS SEMINARY CAMPUS PRAYER TEAM – Dallas, TX (October 2014– August 2016)POSITION: Coordinator

Recruit and oversee students to intercede for students, faculty, administration, and alumni Plan and implement trainings and prayer walks in conjunction with other student organizations Administrate details such as scheduling, prayer requests, and upcoming events Monitor spiritual health of team and shepherd accordingly

DALLAS SEMINARY WORLD EVANGELIZATION CONFERENCE – Dallas, TX (March 2015 and 2016)POSITION: Volunteer, Kids Konference

ENGAGE BLOG – Dallas, TX (December 2015 – present)POSITION: Blogger

Create and post articles monthly Research data and exegete Scriptures to provide exhortation and education for women in ministry

CHURCH OF THE HIGHLANDS – Birmingham, AL (November 2007 – December 2013)POSITION: Dream Team CoordinatorDuring my time on staff the Church experienced exponential growth, ranking as one of Outreach Magazine’s “Fastest Growing Churches in the Nation” for several years. As the Church shifted to a multi-site model, I shifted into a global role, visioneering the values and ethos of volunteer (“Dream Team”)1 ministry for the Church. My direct oversight of the top-level volunteer leaders at each satellite campus allowed for the implementation of vision, values, systems, and structures throughout the Church. When I began, the team tallied 750. Upon my departure in 2013, it extended beyond 7000.

Champion for serving and servants within the Body. Discipleship and development of Dream Team Coordinators, the top-level leaders at each campus. Co-developed the infrastructure for assimilating people through the “Growth Track,” from Church

membership to serving on the Dream Team. This included working alongside the Growth Track Pastor to implement spiritual gifts,

personality, and passion assessments. We developed an abbreviated DISC personality profile and found enormous success.

Developed the system by which individuals joined the Dream Team, including application, assessment, interview, placement.

Developed the structure of leadership by which individuals serving at every level on the Dream Team could receive discipleship. This structure established a focus on ministers, as well as ministries.

Researched, wrote, and published five distinct training manuals for each position of leadership within the abovementioned structure. Planned, implemented, and facilitated the global training of all leaders.

Served as key note speaker and facilitator for network meetings and conference sessions. Trained pastors and leaders in this model of volunteer ministry.

Initiated and maintained a network of Volunteer Ministry Leaders from Churches worldwide.

1 The volunteers at Church of the Highlands are called the Dream Team. They serve as small group leaders, greeters, intercessors, worship team members, and all forms of ministry throughout the Church. 2

Reconstructed volunteer systems and structures for the Church’s inner-city ministry, The Birmingham Dream Center. This hub of local outreach/mission operated independently from the Church and suffered from lack of leadership and organization. I diagnosed issues, determined solutions, built sustainable structures for volunteering, and helped establish a culture of excitement and health in serving (June – December 2013).

MISSION TRIP LEADER – GERMANY (June 2011)POSITION: FacilitatorSERVED Pastors Toni and Cornelia Huele – Missionszentrum Immanuel – Ulm, Germany andPastors Wil and Melanie Williford – Gemeinde der offenen Tur – Lorrach, Germany

Organized and implemented recruitment, application, interview, training, scheduling of the team. Planner of itinerary, logistics, and fundraising both in and out of country.

o Conducted missions training in a small group scenario over the course of three months prior to the trip. Created community and camaraderie within the team so that effective ministry could take place on the field.

Trained my team of high-level Dream Team leaders to facilitate week-long seminar and train national pastors/leaders in effective ministry. Specifically, we trained Churches in the following:

o Effective weekend services – dynamics of guest experience, flow of service, cultural engagement practices, etc.

o Effective assimilation processes to guide people from spectating to participating in the Church

o Effective volunteer ministries – gifts-based rather than needs-based approach to volunteer ministry, leadership development, discipleship of volunteers, etc.

o Effective small groups ministries – incorporation of a free-market model

MISSION TRIP LEADER – RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (JUNE 2010)POSITION: Facilitator (same as above)SERVED Pastor Philip and Renee Murdoch – Light to the Nations Church

Mission Trip Leader – Kunming, China (June 2009)POSITION: Facilitator

Recruitment, application, interview, training, logistics for the trip Liaison between Church missions department and YWAM contacts. YWAM, in partnership with CEO

Global (http://www.ceoglobalusa.org), facilitated Sunshine Camps throughout China each year. Trained my team in team building, prayer, and preparation for cultural engagement. Utilized

curriculum from Sunshine International Camp.o Conducted training in a small group scenario over the course of three months leading to the

trip. Built community and camaraderie on the team so that effective ministry could take place on the field.

Over the course of the camp at Kunming University, I facilitated lectures and class participation of the high school track which was comprised of of national and international students.

o Taught lectures on leadership developmento Developed relationships with Chinese studentso Practiced strategic evangelization

Mission Trip Leader – Weihai, China (July 2008)POSITION: Team Co-Leader

Joined a team of one hundred students and leaders from the Church to minister to students at the Sunshine Camp held at Shandong University

Co-Led a team of twelve students from the Church

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Facilitated a small-group of Chinese and international students byo Teaching the camp curriculum, facilitating team building, and developing leadership lessonso Practicing strategic evangelization

SMALL GROUP LEADER – Church of the Highlands – Birmingham, Alabama (2005 – 2014)POSITION: Leader

Served weekly leading various groupso Girls – middle and high school. Wrote a curriculum and crafted messages for the gatherings.

Personally discipled (and continue to) three girls from the fifty who participated.o Co-eds – high school. Crafted and delivered messages weekly. Led worship. Facilitated group

discussion. Discipled.o Co-eds – young professionals. Crafted weekly messages. Facilitated group discussion and

growth. Discipled.o Women – young professionals. Crafted and delivered messages weekly, discipled, facilitated

discussion and growth.

GREETER TEAM – Church of the Highlands – Birmingham, AL (2004 – 2006)POSITION: Captain

Served for a year before taking the role of Captain. Scheduled, positioned, and shepherded seventy members of the team. Team grew numerically, relationally, and effectively. Within a year, doubled the team in size as the Church began its multi-site endeavors.

WORK EXPERIENCE

NICHOLSON-HARDIE GIFT SHOP/GARDEN CENTER – Dallas, TX (August 2016 – present)POSITION: Cashier, Bedding and Tropical Plant Sales, Floral Designer

Execution of transactions on point of sale system Customer service in bedding and tropical plant departments Custom floral designer with indoor/tropical plants

FATHER NATURE LANDSCAPES – Birmingham, AL (April 2014 – August 2014)POSITION: Landscape Designer, Sales

Consultation, design, estimation, and installation of enhancements for existing residential clients Direct oversight of the seasonal color program, including design, ordering, scheduling, and

installation for two growing seasons. This includes container gardening, beds, and borders. Strategized and assisted in restructuring the company, increased efficiency of HR systems, and

developed creative approaches to marketing. Training and development of maintenance department staff. This included research and writing of

field manuals, as well as facilitation of in-field training and weekly workshops.

ANDY’S LANDSCAPE SERVICE – Birmingham, AL (March 2004 – November 2006)POSITION: Landscape Designer, Sales

Consultation, design, and estimation of high-end residential landscapes. Included leading a foreman and 2-3 member crew in the installation of my designs.

Direct oversight of the seasonal color program, including the design, ordering, scheduling, installation, and maintenance.

Gained Alabama Agriculture and Industries’ Plant Setters License, as well as certification through the inaugural Landscape Professionals program created by the ANLA.

From March 2004 until the fall of that year, I worked at Andy’s Creekside Nursery, the parent company of Andy’s Landscape Service. My responsibilities included assisting clients with purchases of plant material and garden supplies, maintaining health and vitality of plant inventory, and creating container gardens for purchase.

THE BRICKMAN GROUP – Atlanta, GA (June 2002 – March 2004)4

POSITION: Seasonal Color Specialist, Norcross branch Foreman of a seasonal color maintenance crew Design and installation, twice annually Gained licensure as Certified Pesticide Applicator

AUBURN UNIVERSITY – Auburn, AL (February 2000 – May 2002)Freshman Year Experience Office POSITION: Coordinator, Successfully Orienting Students

One of the first four coordinators of the university’s transfer student orientation program Recruitment, interviewing, selection, development of thirty student leaders Facilitator and coordinator of orientation events

PUBLICATIONS 5 comprehensive leadership manuals for the Dream Team, February 2014 Engage Blog, 2016 [blogs.bible.org/engage]

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS Life Church, Atlanta, 2010 Engage Conference, Atlanta, 2011 Velocity Conference, Atlanta, 2011 Grow Conference, Birmingham 2011-2013

REFERENCESCHRIS HODGESEmployer, PastorSenior PastorChurch of the Highlands 4700 Highlands WayBirmingham, AL 35210205.980.5577

CHAD ROSELL

Leader, FriendPres. Student Life BoardStudent ServicesDallas Theological Seminary 3909 Swiss AvenueDallas, TX 75204214.887.5360

STEVE BLAIR

Direct Report, Pastor Executive PastorChurch of the Highlands4700 Highlands WayBirmingham, AL 35210205.980.5577

DR. SUE EDWARDS

Professor, Internship MentorAssociate Professor, AuthorDallas Theological Seminary3909 Swiss AvenueDallas, TX 75204214.887.5133

WIL & MELANIE WILLIFORD

Friends, Mission Team HostsSenior PastorsGemeinde der offenen Tur(Church of the Open Door) Hauingerstr. 10-14Lorrach, Deutschland+4976214222860

Additional references available upon request and via LinkedIn.

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