Melissa Parent: A Life of Faith, Family, and Service

Melissa Parent was born in Hollywood, Florida, and married her high school sweetheart, Christopher, in 1993. Together, they built a loving family, raising two sons, Christopher II and Aiden, and now enjoy the joy of two grandsons who adore visiting their Nana at the shore. Her future daughter-in-law, Alex also loves the Lord and serves at Seaview Baptist Church.

In a testament to their deep family values, Melissa and Christopher left their home in Spring, Texas, to relocate to Somers Point, New Jersey, where they could care for her aging father. Melissa serves as the office manager at Ruffin Medical Group, a Christian practice dedicated to glorifying God. Her work there goes beyond administrative duties, creating meaningful connections with patients and offering prayerful support that enriches their lives and hers.

Faith has always been Melissa’s cornerstone, no matter where she’s called home. From Florida to Texas to New Jersey, she has consistently been an active participant in her church community. Her roles have included youth leader, White Cross volunteer, choir member, and founder of numerous prayer groups—both in person and online. Currently, she serves as the Children’s Ministry Leader at Seaview Baptist Church and, in May 2024, answered the call to lead as President of the American Baptist Women’s Ministry of New Jersey.

To know Melissa is to experience her radiant warmth—she truly is sunshine on a cloudy day. Her passion lies in finding innovative, heartfelt ways to share God’s love with all His people. Melissa’s life is a beautiful reflection of her faith, her family, and her unwavering commitment to serve.