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Twice adopted (physically and spiritually), Melanie has always been aware that adoption is the unique piece of her story. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Music Education. Throughout her years of teaching, her God-designed purpose matured into a ministry of over 30 years of equipping and encouraging the body of Christ to live out and to grow-up in their faith in Jesus Christ. She loves cheering believers on to go deeper so Christ’s radiance can shine brighter.

As Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Living Real Magazine and host of the Living Real Podcast, Melanie has been providing a platform since 2009 for real people to tell their real stories of what it looks like to live out real faith in the everyday routines of life, as well as, in the unexpected challenges tossed their way. 

A passion for worship and discipleship overflows into Melanie’s speaking, blogging, writing, and teaching Bible studies. Her spiritual gifts of encouragement and hospitality are woven into everything she does. Wherever God leads, she seeks to fashion an atmosphere where Christ is central, hugs are free, and all are welcome.

Melanie’s eight-week Bible study/memoir, Unlocked Hearts, Unleashed Joy: Forgiveness Is the Key, was published and released in the Spring of 2019 by Redemption Press. Each lesson unfolds her powerful story of how the key of forgiveness unlocked her heart and unleashed a rush of satisfying and exhilarating joy. Melanie has also self-published two other projects and was a contributing author for the 2022 published devotional book called The Courage to Write, compiled by Lucinda McDowell and Rachel Britton.

Melanie’s heart belongs to Jesus Christ, but her heartstrings are firmly attached to her husband, Rick, and their adult children, son, Turner (along with his soon-to-be wife,Erin) and daughter, Madison.

On a lighter note, Melanie enjoys coffee, reading, and perusing bookstores. Her go-to snack is a bag of Peanut M&Ms. And during her favorite season (football season), you will always hear her cheering for her SC Gamecocks and the Dallas Cowboys.