Q&A with Ariel Gray, our new Welcome & Serve Coordinator
🚢 Welcome Aboard: Meet Ariel!
We’re so excited to welcome Ariel Gray to the Orangewood team as our new Welcome & Serve Coordinator!
After spending the past four years traveling the world while working on a luxury cruise line, Ariel is excited to begin a brand-new adventure right here at Orangewood.
Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, Ariel says she was drawn to Orangewood because of the incredible sense of community she heard about.
“I was drawn to Orangewood because of the amazing community within. Community is something I have longed for, especially having worked away from home for the past four years. I’m super excited to get plugged in!”
Now, she’s looking forward to helping others experience that same sense of belonging from the moment they walk through our doors.
“Helping people feel the love of Jesus is all I want to do, and I’m excited to share that mission at Orangewood.”
🌊 Last Stop: Life at Sea
Before joining Orangewood, Ariel spent four years performing aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises as both a production vocalist and a member of the entertainment staff, where she hosted games and events for guests from around the world.
In those four years, she visited more than 60 countries—including one destination that’s on very few people’s travel bucket lists: Antarctica!
Ariel visiting the Godafoss Waterfall in Iceland!
Most recently, Ariel returned from a mission trip to Guatemala, where God reminded her of the importance of meeting people exactly where they are.
“I’ve seen Jesus meet people exactly where they’re at, and that’s something I want to incorporate into my role and how I approach others.”
⚓ Dropping Anchor at Orangewood
As Welcome & Serve Coordinator, Ariel is passionate about creating a place where every person feels seen, welcomed, and loved from the moment they arrive. Whether someone is visiting for the very first time or has called Orangewood home for years, she hopes they’ll experience the love of Christ through every interaction.
That heart for welcoming others began long before her time at Orangewood. Ariel is the oldest of four siblings, with two younger sisters and a younger brother—whose names all begin with the letter “A.” After years of serving with Safe Families and opening their home to children in need, Ariel’s parents adopted her younger brother as a baby.
Ariel and her family!
“My mom and dad are such leaders within our home and such good examples of what the hands and feet of Jesus look like to us kids,” Ariel shared.
Now, after years of traveling the world, she’s excited to put down roots, get to know the people of Orangewood, and help every person who walks through our doors feel like they’ve found a place to belong.
☕ Souvenirs & Favorites
Ariel (center), with her sisters!
When she’s not at church, Ariel loves discovering great coffee shops (she proudly calls herself a coffee connoisseur), trying new restaurants, baking sourdough, and needlepointing.
Favorite Food: Mexican food
Favorite Restaurants: Garibaldi’s & Jimmy Hula’s
Favorite Authors: Jonathan Pokluda & Warren Wiersbe
Favorite Music: Acoustic worship and singer-songwriter music
❤️ A One-Way Ticket: The Next Adventure
There’s another exciting adventure on the horizon for Ariel!
While working aboard the cruise ship, she met her fiancé, Nimesh, who is originally from India. After recently completing his visa interview, Nimesh is preparing to purchase a one-way ticket to Orlando this August, and the two are excited to get married this fall.
Ariel with her fiancé, Nimesh, at the Gateway of India in Mumbai!
We’re so thankful God has led Ariel to Orangewood, and we can’t wait for you to get to know her. If you see Ariel around campus, be sure to say hello—we know she’ll be excited to meet you!