Debbie Strater Sempsrott, LCC ’80, grew up in Springfield, Illinois where her dad was the pastor of West Side Christian Church. Her father, Floyd Strater, served as a Trustee for LCC from 1970-1975, and again in 1977. So, Lincoln Christian University and West Side Christian Church hold many special memories for her.
As a student, she traveled with music groups such as “Shalom” and “Ecclesia” representing the college throughout the school year, at summer camps and conventions. Debbie also played on LCU’s women’s softball team where she met her husband, Ed Sempsrott, LCC ’81, on the adjacent men’s baseball field. (He was “the catch”.) She will gladly tell you that all of life and ministry began at LCU where she grew in her faith, ministry, dreams, and relationships. It will always be a very special place for Debbie and Ed.
Together, Ed and Debbie have served in ministry together for about 40 years. Ed is a senior pastor and Debbie serves as the director of women’s ministry and teaches fourth grade in the public school system. They have two children, a daughter-in-love, and two young grandsons. Their son, Chad, serves as the worship leader with them in El Centro, CA. Their daughter, Chelsea, who has Down-syndrome speaks in the local schools representing “Circle of Friends”, an inclusion program about befriending special needs children.
Debbie went on from her days at LCU to graduate with a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from Hope International University in California. Her passion has led her to be involved in two outreach ministries in a border town, El Centro, California. The IV Life Center is a located directly across the parking lot from a Planned Parenthood. The IV Life Center’s theme is: Choose Life. Embrace Life. Speak Life. Women can not only receive help to Choose Life but they can also receive services from “Mom-Sense” at IV Life Center which provides help with parenting classes, anger management, grief classes, life Skills, and more. “Mom-Sense” also offers ministry connections throughout the Imperial Valley with conferences, fellowship times, and connections for women in ministry.
In addition to writing, Debbie loves to speak for retreats and women’s events. Some of the ladies from the 2019 Christian Women’s Conference may remember a fun day with Sheila Walsh and Debbie Sempsrott. Debbie is a storyteller, author, encourager, and speaker. She presently has three books, “Happy Dance”-Fabulous through the Seasons which is filled with Grins & Giggles, Tears & Triumphs, Hope & Healing for the Seasons of a Woman’s Soul; “Our Faith Floats” which offers Hope, Hilarity, and Healing for Women; and “Tubular Therapy”: Facing Fear with Friendship & Faith. The very first book, “Happy Dance” has been given out by the cases to women’s prisons, to Hospice Centers, the Ronald McDonald House, and to Chemo Angels…As a preacher’s kid, pastor’s wife, an adoptive mom, and the mom of a special need’s child, Debbie offers a variety of experiences, empathy, and encouragement for women. Having a sense of humor is also at the top of her list. All three books were written to reach women who may not personally know Christ, yet. While they are laughing and crying perhaps they can relate to the stories and message that… God Sees. God Hears. God Loves. Debbie’s dream and prayer would be to see these simple books reach women who are in need of hope, help, and healing. She writes a weekly devotional on-line for women on Facebook @Debbie Sempsrott-Author, Speaker. You can also reach Debbie at www.momsenseonline. She would love the opportunity to join you in ministry for women.