Over the years, life-changing moments happened for Debby DeBernardi when she listened to God’s direction.

She left a nursing career to become an ordained minister and professor of religion. Soon she will embark on a new venture to spiritually grandparent her six grandchildren under the age of nine.

DeBernardi has resigned her position of director of Christian formation at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church. For nearly the last five years, she has developed a spiritual ministry for children.

Her last formal day will be Jan. 31. Although DeBernardi is leaving the job, she and husband Gary, Ahwatukee residents, will remain church members.

The commute takes between 45 minutes and an hour one way.

“The drive has never been a problem. I go against the traffic. It gives me time to pray and I examine the day going back home,” she said.

Originally from Illinois, she completed her undergraduate nursing studies at Illinois Wesleyan and graduate work in nursing education at Arizona State University. She became a nurse clinician and clinical instructor at Scottsdale Community College.

She temporarily left the workforce to raise two daughters. When it was time to return to work, she recalled that churches promoted the value of children, “but I [saw], once I got involved, that what they did with their finances did not reflect that.”

DeBernardi felt churches were asleep in not tapping into the challenge. Her nursing background taught her that a person’s world view, personality and habits are mostly formed by the age of six or seven and major beliefs are in place by the age of 12 or 13.

“I was praying to dedicate my life again. ‘What do you want me to do now?’” she asked God. “And I really felt called into children’s ministry.”

She enrolled in Fuller Seminary, the only seminary at that time where she could attain a seminary degree and concentrate in children and family.

She was ordained in a non-denominational church where, as a female, she could not preach. The time was the early 2000s. DeBernardi could officiate at funerals, baptisms, serve communion and “literally do everything, except preach.”

She helped establish a mission church in Mesa where she served for a few years.

“Again, I heard God very clearly. I have something else for you.”

She received her certification in spiritual direction counseling.

While an adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary, a student in one of the last courses she taught was Bill Good, who eventually became pastor of Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church. He called her and offered the position.

“I was fascinated by this community. The spirit of grace and love at this church is absolutely phenomenal.”

At the time, few children participated in church services. DeBernardi reached out to youngsters to bring them into the congregation.

The Presbyterian Church now has a nursery, pre-school, elementary and teen programs.

“Years ago, if you did not believe in the Gospel story, at least you knew it. That’s not the case now,” said DeBernardi, referring to many children who “don’t know the name Jesus, much less the story.”

“That was a shock for me because this is a small community with a church row,” she added.

Her involvement with the ministerial association has been a positive experience, said DeBernardi.

“These pastors have a wonderful bond in Christ and truly desire to work together for the building up of the Fountain Hills community. They enjoy and value each other.”

The appointment of a daughter to director of family ministries for a 3,000-member congregation prompted DeBernardi to decide to help raise her grandchildren.

“We have a short season when the grandchildren are young and I can practice what I have been preaching for all these years.”

She will remain involved in two organizations regarding spiritual formation: Music Serving the Word and KidZ At Heart International.

DeBernardi and her husband operate a CPA practice in Tempe where she operates a spiritual direction consulting business. She also counsels a couple of organizations as a spiritual formation director, helping them develop social direction and spiritual-meaning