Get to Know Meagan Dietz!
Director of Community Connections
Meagan is joining our team to help us better get people connected into our community, whether that is facilitating introductions or getting people plugged into a group or ministry.
Tell us a bit about yourself!
I grew up on Spaghetti Hill here in Monterey as the oldest of four siblings in a house full of books, plants, and good food. My wonderful parents are locals as well so I had the privilege of growing up with both sets of grandparents. My faith became my own in high school and I went on to UC Berkeley where I met my arch nemesis who eventually became my husband, Dakota. After graduation, I went on to join the staff team of a ministry there where I loved engaging with students about life and faith, seeing students come to know Jesus, and deepen their relationship with God through discipleship and community.
After Dakota and I got married, we moved from the Bay Area to Chicagoland where Dakota went to seminary and I made the bacon and had two baby boys along the way. We then moved to Kansas City where Dakota went through a Pastoral Residency program and I became really involved with deeping our Women's ministry as well as developing our Young Adult ministry and speaking at youth events.
This last summer, we made the big decision to move back to Monterey so our boys, Declan (5) and Theo (2), could grow up close to family. We are loving being back in the area and having so much family time and support!
What inspired you to join the team at Wellspring?
After moving back to the Monterey area this summer, we were looking for a church home. My sister and parents were already attending Wellspring. When we visited, we felt the sincerity of the worship, the challenge of the teaching, and the sweetness of eating together every Sunday. While connecting with Tony, we began talking about the vision for community at Wellspring as well as some of the areas I’m hoping to grow and serve. I was really excited when the opportunity arose for me to allocate some time to developing the connection ministries.
Most of our team is bi-vocational, what else are you up to these days?
I am currently at home with my boys, primarily Theo who is two years old. If you see me around church or if we get to connect during the week, Theo will be in tow!
What was your first experience with ministry like?
My first experience with ministry came right after I came to faith in Jesus as a high schooler. While young in my faith, I was encouraged to jump in and I started serving in the children's ministry, working with four and five year olds. I love this vision for church where there is always someone above you (providing mentorship and challenge), a few beside you (providing support and community) , and a few below you (a group you can come alongside and help develop). Four and five year olds are an incredible group, full of questions and wonder, and I’m grateful I had people in my life to spur me on into ministry as well as a group who let me love them and try to teach them what I knew about Jesus.
What are some things you are excited to do in your position here?
Over all of my various church experiences, God’s developed a passion in me for developing a deep sense of belonging and care at church while also developing a real courage to be connectors to Jesus in our communities and neighborhoods. There is already such a value for connection at Wellspring. I’m excited to learn from you all and with you all as we try to deepen those connections and flesh out what that means in the next season here at Wellspring.
What fills your cup outside of work, school, and church?
I’m a big fan of coffee, books, and indoor plants that are hard to kill. My creative outlets tend to involve cooking and I love gathering with others around an elaborate meal. Mostly, I love to adventure with my boys (Dakota included) exploring any beach or forest, finding playful ways to connect, and watching Bluey (if you know, you know).