Born and raised in Michigan, Marilee arrived in Savannah in 1990 after graduation from Hope College in Holland, MI. Having completed her Bachelor of Science in nursing degree she was recruited by a local hospital.

Her plan was to stay a year or so to see the sights, walk the beach and enjoy the lack of snow shoveling and ice scraping! Having settled happily into a new apartment and a new career a second year in Savannah seemed a naturally good idea.

As all "good ideas" are...it was God's hand that kept her in Savannah. During the course of that year she met her now husband, Michael, while working in the trauma intensive care unit. Upon completion of his degree at Emory University in Atlanta he returned to Savannah and they were married in May of 1995. Today they are blessed with a happy marriage and two beautiful daughters: Emilee and Elisabeth born in October of 2001.

"I had the privilege of being raised in a Christian home. I attended church as a child and was educated at a private Christian college. I have grown to know the graciousness of a loving Savior all of my life. If there were nothing else, I have been blessed. But there is more...God brought Michael and I together and eventually to FBCI shortly after our daughters were born. Having visited other area churches as well as FBCI, it was clear to us that this is where God wanted us to grow and to give as a family. We are blessed as a couple, as parents and most importantly as servants of God to be involved in furthering His kingdom through the ministries of FBCI."

Marilee began her role as Preschool Ministry Director in August of 2004. She says of her involvement in this ministry, "It is a privilege to serve by ministering to God's youngest children, those He specifically called to Himself as He walked this earth. It is exciting to see such young hearts and minds growing and learning the truths of a God who loves them. It is equally exciting to know that as these children are learning and growing their parents are being ministered to as well. God is a God of love and calls us to be a family of believers seeking to know Him and to make Him known to others. It is vital that we nurture and reach out to each part of our family – even the very youngest!"

Marilee can be reached at the church office @ 897-2142.