helena Steele

What's your favorite thing about Columbia? 

Uh oh! You guys are about to find out how bad I am at “favorites” since most of this bio is asking for them - it’s always so hard to pick one because there are simply too many things in this world to love! :) That’s as true of Columbia as it is of anything else. Columbia has been my home my whole life (so I must be pretty fond of it, right?) and I think it’s got a lot going for it: my family is here, the many beautiful parks and trails offer nature sanctuaries my soul often craves, college towns like this bring so much diversity and fascinating people from all over to get to know… take your pick!

Where else have you worked, lived, or studied? 

As I confessed above, I was born and raised in Columbia, and even went to college here at Mizzou for nursing (Go Kewpies! Go Tigers!). I had the honor of taking care of many wonderful people at the University Hospital on the oncology floor for a few years before starting my favorite job of all: being a mom to two indescribably precious boys (okay, there’s one favorite that’s easy ;) ) and have spent most of the last several years having one or both of them at home with me going on many adventures together. I also had a blast working at Little Wildflowers Preschool before beginning my role here at Trinity!

What are your favorite books, movies, or TV shows? 

I am a bit of a bookworm… and maybe it’s fitting that although I love and have been impacted by too many books of various genres to list here, I truly think children’s literature is just the best! I regularly reread the entire Narnia series, and never tire of remembering old or discovering new treasures and insights in them nearly every single reread. I also love Anne of Green Gables and classics like The Secret Garden.  

What aspect of Trinity's vision do you most resonate with? 

I think what initially comes to mind is our emphasis on community - this has really stood out to our family and had such a big impact on us from the moment we first stepped through the doors and were welcomed right in. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we have been invited into the eternal community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the relationship we were all made for and long for deep down, and something that is so beautifully reflected in relationships within the church. I love the way we pursue this together at Trinity!