Our Team
Marlisa Harding
Marlisa is a writer and professional church goer. She works in for profit and non-profit communications while also wearing many hats at The River, a local non-denominational church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Marlisa is a wife and mother, roles which are her highest calling.
She possesses a bachelors and masters degree from Louisiana College in journalism and education, respectively, and is currently pursuing a masters degree in organizational psychology.
Marlisa enjoys examining the ways church and secular culture intersect, particularly the impact that secular business practices have upon the health and productivity of the church. She started VIP to give believers a place to feel seen and heard while also empowered to bring the healthiest version of themselves to the local Body.
She believes in the church.
Sarah Holt
Sarah is an Ambassador with Capital One Bank and a Worship leader at Solid Ground Worship Center in Central Louisiana.
She’s a wife and a mother which brings her the greatest joy.
She is a graduate of RHEMA Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a focus in Supportive Ministry. She believes every role in the church body is important and needs to be filled in order to work properly.
She has worked and served in almost every area in the church body from cleaning to teaching. She is passionate about serving the local church and your brothers and sisters in Christ.
She started VIP to encourage others that healing and restoration is possible after you have been hurt or left a church. She hopes to encourage others to speak up and resolve conflict instead of ignoring issues and walking away.
Founders Biography
Sarah and Marlisa have been best friends for 15 years. They met at youth group in high school, an experience that Sarah describes as, “Instantly not liking Marlisa.” (😳) Eventually, the two grew to be inseparable as they sought to serve the Lord during adolescence and their friendship has continued ever since.
Upon high school graduation, Sarah felt a call to attend Bible college at RHEMA Bible Training Center while Marlisa felt a call to attend traditional college while pursing practical ministry training. Sarah and Marlisa’s individual experiences with ministry, church business and the behind the scenes inner-workings of both led them to think deeply about their paths forward for Christ.
Ultimately, VIP was born as an outlet to reflect on the good, bad and the ugly of church attendance while championing the Bible-backed purpose of the church as one of the most valuable avenues by which sinners are saved and discipled.