Meet Valena Claiborne. She is the Executive Pastor of CU Church. She is the one helping the staff team to be mobile, that means that whatever they need she is always there.
She is also a wife, a loving mother of 3 and she has a super-secret passion for baking. In fact, she has a home-based baker business, but she only bakes when she has time so that she can still enjoy it.
She can consider herself as a free spirit person and her passion is to make sure that people will know how truly valuable they are.
Thank you, Valena, for sharing your story with us and for your love of Champaign-Urbana.
Questions:
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: My current career as a pastor was absolutely led by the Holy Spirit, it’s not anything that I could have chosen for myself. I can even remember at the age of 19 having a conversation with friends saying, “I am tired of helping people, I don’t want to help people anymore”. But it is something that comes natural to me and brings me joy to be able to serve others, empower and encourage them, so I think that was just what led me here. It is naturally who I am.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Champaign-Urbana, and what do you love there?
A: Neil St. Blues and I love to order either oysters, if they have them available, or the Collard Greens and Mac ‘n Cheese.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Champaign-Urbana?
A: I would say my whole life minus 10 years, so if I started working when I was 16 years old, I will say about 15 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Champaign-Urbana?
A: The most interesting person I’ve meet is a guy named Larry. He comes to the office every Monday morning to pray with us. He’s a sweet Hispanic man who loves Jesus. He’s also a free spirited person and he’s not afraid to try new things.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: I would love to go to two places actually. First, New York because I have never seen the statue of Liberty and I have a fear that it’s going to be blown up or fall down in an earthquake. And second is Italy, to see all the wonderful things that are there.
Q: What advice would you give to a crowd of people?
A: My advice is to keep dreaming. Put a plan to your dreams and make it happen, and do not take life so seriously. I do believe that there are responsibilities we must make sure that we handle so we can survive, but sometimes I think we are too hard on ourselves and the people around us.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: Probably to go to New York and Italy.
Q: What current / former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Champaign-Urbana?
A: Lox Stock and Bagel. At least once a week, my aunt and I would go there for lunch, and that’s where I found a love for corn beef sandwiches.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Champaign-Urbana?
A: I think I’m doing a lot of talking about food, but I love Jarlings Custard Cup. I remember going there all the time, I love taking my kids there and go there for date nights. Also, I like that we are a community that is so family oriented, there’s a lot of culture and tons of things to do here.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 or 10 years?
A: I can still see myself here, do what I am doing now.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: Most people don’t know that I know how to knit.
Q: What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: Comfy Clothes, Blankets and Nap time.
Q: If you had a full-time staff member that was fully paid for, who would you choose? Chef, Housekeeper, Driver, Coach, Physical Fitness Trainer, or Nanny?
A: I would choose a Housekeeper because we have three children and the last thing I want to do is clean up. Because I believe that energy can be used to spend time with them and to do things with them.
