{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Conversations with Buddy","title":"Ep. 163 Valerie Geer - Listening to and Following Jesus from Childhood to Adulthood!","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":3650,"description":"Valerie was born and raised in Sequim, Washington, near the breathtaking Olympic Mountains, she has carried that appreciation for God’s creation with her throughout her life. Valerie accepted Christ as a child and sensed a call to intercultural ministry while still in high school. That call led her into a dynamic ministry career, with much of the first half spent in and out of China, where she lived out her passion for cultural education and sharing the radical love of Jesus across borders. Her academic journey supported this calling as well, with a B.A. in Church Ministries with a concentration in Intercultural Ministry from Northwest University, an M.A. in TESOL and Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College, and ultimately a Doctor of Intercultural Studies from Western Seminary.Outside of ministry, Valerie is just as passionate about her family and the outdoors. She and her husband Nathan, her best friend and fellow adventurer, have been married for 25 years and share a love for hunting, fishing, gardening, and exploring where the mountains meet the sea. Together they are raising four sons, born between 2005 and 2009, and they enjoy a life centered on faith, family, and adventure. With her larger-than-life dog by her side, Valerie continues to model what it means to be equally yoked, steadfast in faith, and committed to lighting the fire of God’s love in the lives of others.One of her favorite Scriptures, Psalm 121:1–2, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Her faith has been the steady foundation of her journey, guiding her through both personal and ministry endeavors.Today, Valerie serves as the Community Outreach Chaplain at the Family YMCA of Marion and Polk Counties. In this role, she invests deeply in building bridges, offering spiritual care, and pointing people to Jesus through presence, listening, and genuine service. She lives out her calling to know, love, and...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/oxFqe0AJP5S7qrhkdAltuVa8mFSqDbYbj8eGzi5h_mM/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMyODkxLzE2NjAw/OTQ2NDAtYXJ0d29y/ay5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}