Hi, I am Lauren Spires, the Preschool and Pre-K Teacher here at Central Christian! I was born and raised in Fort Wayne and have been a proud member of Central Ministries for the past three years. Outside the classroom, I love spending time at local craft shows and farmers markets, where I am either running a booth for my small business or browsing with friends. I also enjoy sewing, crafting, exploring new places, grabbing coffee with friends, and my new hobby which is making sourdough. I have a very energetic German Shorthaired Pointer named Frankie, who keeps life exciting!

From the time I started preschool, I had the opportunity to attend private schools where I was taught about the love of Jesus. I later attended Concordia High School. After high school, I was blessed to go on a mission trip to Belize. I had the privilege of working with children in a Mayan village and sharing the love of the Lord with them. That experience sparked a deep passion in me for teaching children and telling them about Jesus. I had always loved being around kids, but it was during that mission trip that I began to feel a clear calling toward a career in early childhood education. I now hold an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Ivy Tech Community College, which I earned in December 2024.

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity the Lord has given me to begin my journey at Central Christian School. What started as a three-month, long-term substitute position has now grown into my first official year as the Preschool and Pre-K Teacher for the 2025–2026 school year. It is a true blessing to be able to share God’s Word and His love with my students each day. Hearing their prayers and seeing their growing faith fills my heart with joy. The Central Christian School community is an amazing and supportive group of staff and families, and God’s presence is truly evident here. I am honored to be a part of it.

I was raised in a Christian family and have known about God’s love for me since I was very young. My faith truly began to grow deeper during a mission trip to Belize, where I had the opportunity to work with children and share God’s love with them. That experience opened my heart in a new way and helped me see how God could use me to serve others. Since then, my relationship with the Lord has continued to grow, and I feel so blessed to share His love and truth with the children I teach each day. I’m also part of a small group that meets monthly for Bible study, which has been a meaningful part of my spiritual journey. I’m grateful for the many ways God continues to lead me, strengthen my faith, and guide me in my calling.