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Share thisAlumni Spotlight, Jennifer (Lawrence) Tillman '00
Fifteen years ago, I was the Student Association Vice President of Roberts Wesleyan College and wrote bi-weekly articles for the college newspaper, The Beacon. On October 2, 1998, I shared a story called, "Pedal." It illustrates life with Christ as a bike ride, more so a tandem bike ride. Many of us start in the front and Christ is in the back helping us pedal. But at some point, we change places with Christ and realize we should've done so much sooner. I can't pinpoint when Christ and I switched seats but it was during my collegiate years at Roberts. Professors Ron Hallman and Rod Bassett sowed many seeds in my spiritual life. I'm so thankful for them and humbled that Christ took control of the bike when He did.
When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable; it was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts…up mountains and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! After graduation from Roberts in 2000, I pursued a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. During my tenure there, I competed for a competitive graduate internship at the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) in Quantico, Virginia. Upon selection, I moved to Virginia in January 2002 where I spent by far, five of the most memorable months of my life as an intern for the FBI's BAU.
Even though it looked like madness, He said "Pedal!" I worried and was anxious and asked ”Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to have faith. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He would lean back and touch my hand. After the FBI internship, I moved back to my hometown in Connecticut and found employment with a non-profit agency that handled the Department of Correction contracts for the state. There is nothing more exciting, challenging and potentially frightening, than working with the forensic population. My first job afforded me a priceless experience. Over three and a half years, I provided individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and case management to male offenders within correctional institutions statewide.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed...gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts to take on my journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; it's extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met and I found that in giving, I received, and still our burden was light. The incarcerated population is definitely one of the most forgotten. As a Christian, God gave me a heart for these sinners. Love the sinner, hate the sin, right? God used me to reach the unreached until He opened another door.
I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it; but He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, how to jump to clear high rocks, how to fly to shorten scary passages. Out of the blue, I received a call in 2005 and was extended an opportunity to return to the FBI's BAU as a research analyst (speaking of bike secrets)! In January 2006, I left family and friends behind and relocated to Virginia to pursue a career with the FBI. For the first two years, I worked on various research projects regarding topics such as serial murder, sexual murder and false allegation. In 2008, I transitioned to an operational capacity as a crime analyst in the BAU, my role today. I work very closely with agents on violent, criminal investigations that target adult victims such as single homicides, serial murders, and sexual assaults. In the past 18 months, I work mostly counterterrorism matters that impact our national security. Despite the violation, criminal or counterterrorism, I provide detailed analytical packages consisting of timelines, maps, matrices, association charts and other database results to investigators and prosecutors alike.
Finally, I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ. And when I'm sure that I just can't do any more…He just smiles and says, "Pedal." After working among special agents for several years, I applied to the Special Agent position in 2011. Due to budget cuts and the sequestration, I completed the hiring process but never received a New Agent Class date...but now, thanks to Congress passing a budget in January, I'll be starting New Agent training this summer.
Thankfully, I changed places with Christ on the tandem bike a long time ago. I've been blessed beyond measure as a result. Have you changed places with Jesus yet? Are you still riding in front? If so, switch...now! It will forever change your life. It did mine.
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