They met in 2003 and were married in the spring of 2009. As a creative team with a heart for worship, the next generation, and seeing dreams come to life, they never imagined the journey that lay ahead.

Over the years, they walked through seasons of unemployment, multiple miscarriages, a stillbirth, and the heartbreaking loss of their infant daughter, Eliana, who lived for 51 days. In the midst of profound grief, they experienced God’s faithfulness through His presence and through a community that chose to walk alongside them.

Those experiences shaped a deep conviction: no one should have to walk through life’s hardest seasons alone.

In 2013, that conviction became Standing For Life a ministry dedicated to creating intentional spaces where people can encounter faith, hope, and love as they heal, grow, and rediscover purpose.

Today, Emmanuel and Emily continue to share their journey, not because they have all the answers, but because they have seen how God can bring hope in the midst of heartbreak. Their prayer is that every person who encounters Standing For Life would know they are seen, supported, and never alone.

The full story is shared in our book, Standing For Life, where we invite you to journey with us through the moments that shaped this ministry.