Jodi Trusty
Hometown: Lindsey, Ohio
Key Facts: Wife; Mother; Owner of Sweet Floret Cakery.
I am a wife, a mother, the owner of Sweet Floret Cakery, and a volunteer at Crossover Mission. At Crossover, we hold many community service events throughout the year, ranging from helping the elderly, joining with other outreaches to help feed the hungry, and taking part in local property beautification projects. Above all, we hold events for the local youth to become strong leaders and disciples, while enjoying themselves in the process.
Setting an example as a holistic leader
When asked what it means to be a leader, Jodi says they should be, “a servant, dependable, loyal, trustworthy, sacrificial, a good listener, loving, and committed.” Each one of these adjectives could be used to describe Jodi herself.
As a volunteer, Jodi regularly takes part in many youth-based activities, whether traveling, creating holiday dinners, or organizing game and movie nights, to name a few. It’s during this time that she exhibits the qualities that help build “good leaders by example, by prayer, and by God’s wisdom, grace, and love.”
In her professional life, Jodi is an entrepreneur and owns a successful bakery. While she maintains that she doesn’t provide the youth with “any professional skills or insights,” the strength of her example as a businesswoman proves otherwise. Beyond her obvious work ethic and resourcefulness, Jodi demonstrates the importance of holistic leadership. For Jodi, there is no single standout quality of a leader. She understands that a good leader needs a broad skill set that’s rooted in God’s Word.
This thinking shines through in her vision for the Crossover youth. Not only does she want them to know they are loved and have meaning, but she also hopes that they “will thrive on earth, spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally.” What’s more she believes this will be achieved through “faithful, methodical discipleship of God’s word” alongside “practical life teaching skills.”
Most importantly of all, Jodi sets an important example through the strength of her love. “I do know that I love these kids,” she says. “I hope more than anything that is what they feel and know from me.” She goes on to highlight one of the rising leaders, Canavis, mentioning how Matt and Monica have been tremendous lights to him. It gives her great pride to see how he’s bloomed into a God-seeking and social individual.
While the impact of her sacrifice may not be clear to her on a daily basis, it is evident to those around her in her commitment, her love, and (as Samuel will testify) in her cooking. The seeds she’s sowing are already bearing fruit—adding to the ongoing impact of the entire Crossover initiative.
