Vanessa Silverman didn’t enter Miami (Fla.) Music Ministries expecting to emerge a leader. And two years ago, when she agreed to volunteer with the DOOR (Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection) program in Miami, Silverman did not anticipate she would soon become a leader of DOOR’s ministries throughout the entire city.

Today, Silverman is serving as the city director for DOOR Miami. She leads and guides groups that travel to Miami for short-term (two days to a week long) service experiences, and communicates with the agencies that host these groups.

“I build relationships with a lot of people around the U.S. and bring them here so they’re able to see God at work in the city of Miami,” Silverman said. Silverman’s journey was winding—one that intersects with the lives of multiple people and mentors throughout Miami and DOOR. In 1998, Silverman’s father began bringing her weekly to Miami Music Ministries to receive music lessons. Silverman learned the piano and guitar and was soon invited into a worship band that toured the city leading youth groups and churches in worship.

“When the band would play at conferences and camps, I would have to lead worship. This enabled me to learn how to speak in front of huge groups of people and how to talk about God in front of others,” said Silverman. This music ministry was coordinated by Richard Aspinwall, husband of former DOOR city director, Heidi Aspinwall. During Silverman’s time with the worship band, she led worship for youth groups serving with the DOOR program.

Heidi Aspinwall noticed Silverman’s growing skills for leadership. When it came time to hire an assistant city director for DOOR Miami, Aspinwall made a key list of the traits she envisioned in such a leader. This list included strong personal faith, spiritual discipline and the ability to express it to others, abilities to relate with youth and youth leaders, emotionally mature, and the love of Miami as a city. Aspinwall saw each of these traits in Silverman. In 2008, when Aspinwall transitioned to her new role, giving oversight to national publicity and programs, Silverman stepped in as the city director for short-term groups.

“Vanessa’s commitment to Jesus and serving— because that is what Jesus did—is basically awe-inspiring,” said Krista Dutt, national program director for DOOR. “She also can speak into what real Miami is like without being a transplant into the city.”

Through her work with groups and alongside Aspinwall, Silverman’s ability to lead has grown and strengthened. On one occasion early on, Silverman found herself running behind on planning for a group. When the group arrived over the weekend, their Monday service site was not set. However, Vanessa continued to work at planning the rest of the week, and was blessed when a local organization agreed to take on the group last-minute.

Silverman has learned to plan ahead and prepare well, but she knows that there is only so much she can control. “One thing that Heidi has taught me is that there is only so much you can control,” said Silverman. “God is in control, and we can only do so much, so you can’t be too hard on yourself.”

This is a lesson that Silverman has to continue to re-learn with each new group, and that she also has to re-teach to Aspinwall as well.

“Sometimes, Heidi is still hard on herself, too, and I have to re-teach her the same thing that she taught me to begin with,” said Silverman. “Perhaps the biggest thing she has taught me is to always be joyful, no matter what comes.”

Today, Silverman is attending school to become an elementary schoolteacher, and working full-time for DOOR. And as she works alongside other DOOR leaders and staff, her own leadership skills continue to develop. “One of the things I love most about DOOR is that even though we are spread across six cities, there is a huge support system. People are always willing to sit down and talk with me about how to make things better or work at issues,” said Silverman.