For Tauri Maldonado, the journey to Manna University began long before she ever enrolled in a class. After moving from Orlando, FL to Fayetteville for her family’s first duty station, she and her husband faced a pivotal decision once he left the military: return “home,” or continue building the community God had begun for them in Fayetteville. Their love for their church made the answer clear. Today, Tauri serves faithfully as the manager of Manna Church’s café and as a member of the worship team. Though she had always dreamed of working in ministry and finishing her degree, it wasn’t until the 2024 Multiply Conference that everything shifted. After a lighthearted conversation with Dee Bowie and an encouraging challenge from Dr. Carlo Serrano, Tauri felt the Holy Spirit prompting her to take a step of faith. “I’m a wife, a mother of three, and I work—when is a good time?” she wondered.
"We are all leaders..."
But the calling was unmistakable, and she enrolled the next month. Since becoming a student, Tauri says she has been “challenged, encouraged, and developed every single week.” Her classes have shaped how she leads her café team, strengthened her understanding of Scripture, and equipped her to serve from a place of depth rather than familiarity. When asked what the Church needs most, Tauri’s answer is clear: biblical literacy and leadership development. “We are all leaders—whether in our homes, workplaces, or ministries. We need to be equipped. And learning to study the Bible properly changes everything.” For Tauri, Manna University is formation, not just education, and her story reflects a growing community of believers answering God’s call to learn, grow, and lead.