Starting a Legacy at Home

by Jessica Whitmore, MA, Adjunct Professor & ECHO Writer

February 4, 2025

Posted: February 4, 2025

Starting a Legacy at Home


by Jessica Whitmore, MA, Adjunct Professor & ECHO Writer

With Four LBC Degrees Between Them, the Christopher and SheLaine Ortiz Are Instilling Life Lessons About Education and Faith in Their Children

This article originally appeared in the Winter 2025 ECHO Magazine.

Christopher Ortiz (’21, ’23 & ‘26) remembers growing up and playing football in his backyard with some neighborhood boys. Little did he know he would eventually marry their sister, SheLaine (’25). The two officially met when SheLaine was a senior in high school and started to attend the church where Christopher was a youth leader. While Christopher grew up in a Christian home, knew the Lord called him into ministry at age 14 and started preaching at age 18, SheLaine grew up in a home with no faith foundation or influence. In fact, she wasn’t interested in marriage or a family, as her goals were simply focused on earning a business degree and becoming a successful professional. That all changed, however, as the two met, helped each other through life’s challenges and developed their friendship.

Chris-and-SheLaine-Ortiz

SheLaine and Christopher Ortiz

When the couple married in 2019, they aimed to balance the desire to start a family and continue their education, which also included credits earned initially through a Bible institute—all while setting the foundation for their own family and ministries. This foundation has equipped the couple to serve in pastoral leadership at Renewing Waters Church in East Petersburg, Pa.

Christopher, a current Doctor of Ministry student at LBC, recalls that while the first couple years of married life were rough, he also held various roles and responsibilities, from ministry to simply providing for his growing family, even recalling he had eight different jobs over one year. “There were moments of doubt, victory, anger, frustration,” he shares. “I was like a flower trying to bloom in winter, and God allowed me to be in the right season to bloom. He continues to be amazed at his opportunity to continue his education at the doctoral level with one simple word: “Wow!”

SheLaine, who currently works in customer service in the insurance industry, recalls working on her bachelor’s degree, balancing two pregnancies, caring for her children, who are nearly 4 and 2½, maintaining a career, enduring the COVID-19 pandemic illnesses and restrictions, and even pausing her education when pregnancy-related health complications escalated.

“I wanted to quit (my education) many times,” she remembers. However, as a first-generation college student, her focus was to accomplish a personal goal no one else in her family had achieved. She recalls the support of her husband and those at LBC helping her navigate through encouragement and understanding while reminding her that she could do it. “God has given me this opportunity and to show this achievement to others that is it not too late,” she shares, further adding she is humbled at earning her degree and looks to continue her education at the master’s level. She has also appreciated the guidance and connections she has had at LBC.

“I have enjoyed working with both Christopher and SheLaine throughout their time at LBC,” shares Angie Holsinger, LBC’s Assistant Director of Financial Aid. “I’ve especially loved hearing their stories as well as witnessing their resilience and dependence on the Lord amidst whatever life has thrown at them over the years. Getting to know them has been a highlight for me in the midst of assisting with their financial aid.”

While the couple places a focus on their individual educational goals, they know their home is ultimately the foundation for their legacy, personally and professionally. Christopher, who currently mentors troubled youth, shares that his personal goal is to come home daily and know that he and SheLaine have established the kingdom of God in their house. “I see the failures of others at homes where all pieces are not unified, but I want the best for my family,” he shares. This focus has also allowed Christopher to increase his maturity within his ministry roles with the understanding that everyone has a ratio of good and bad, but the goal is for the good to be better.

Their education has also aided them in sharing with the community and expanding God’s kingdom and family by putting God first in all things. “Learn to love God first and build on that,” Christopher shares, as he adds that many Christians limit themselves. As the two continue forward with their education and family, which includes a recent pregnancy announcement of their third child, their goal is to “let God do what He wants in our life.”