Gabrielle Draper

KidMin Director

My name is Gabrielle Draper. I am an energetic, enthusiastic, extroverted leader. I love Jesus and people. I have been married for 10 years to Stephen and we have 3 beautiful girls.

One of my favorite life verses has been 1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” I love the relationship that Paul has with Timothy. He mentored him, discipled him, and was a role model who walked alongside of him in ministry. I have always been a young leader and had many people like Paul in my life who impacted my life dramatically helping me turn into who I am today. Being young doesn’t need to stop us from doing what God has called us to do. Jesus says in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” HE LOVES CHILDREN, and so do I. I love learning from our littles and seeing them lead by set examples for us in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. Discipleship and leadership development are a part of who I am. I love to follow Jesus and live in a way that is leading others to Him.  

I grew up in the church (Gateway, to be exact). I am a Pastor’s kid. I made the decision to follow Jesus at the age of 4 almost 5 Easter time (my birthday is in March). I have served in KidMin since I was big enough to help hold babies in the nursery (I was like 6)! Some of those babies are still around Gateway and now getting married. When Stephen and I got married God planted us in a local church plant where I was the children’s director for 6 years. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. I love kids and walking with them through their first steps and next steps as they learn who Jesus is, what He has done for them, and what it looks like to be a disciple who makes disciples.