Vanessa Baker

Vanessa Baker, as Miss New Jersey 2003, lived an emotional rollercoaster that ranged from the initial thrill of victory to the disappointment of defeat and, moreover, the discomfort of learning who the “real” Vanessa was when the applause came to an end. From the glamour and glitz of red carpet events and celebrities, to the many appearances on national television, Vanessa enjoyed all the accoutrements of celebrity status for a short while.

But as the year of her reign came to an end, Vanessa became simply, “The former Miss New Jersey.” She traversed the emotions of what has been defined by today’s culture-watchers as the “quarter-life crisis,” a season experienced by young adults coming to grips with real-world issues. Vanessa finally worked through her introspection and found hope in her true identity as a child of God and a member of the body of Christ.

Vanessa realized that her experiences and perspective had built a unique platform on which she could reach and relate to other young adults. She could help them deal with their insecurities about post-secondary education as well as teach them to recognize the need to set and reach goals for life-change. But Vanessa’s central message maintains that God alone provides true satisfaction and comfort. Her captivating message of “Never Give Up” has motivated thousands to pursue their dreams and explore their God-given talents.

Vanessa launched Triumph National Young Adults Conferences, featuring Christian experts in the fields of relationships, finance and witness, to encourage, educate and empower 20-somethings. In spring 2007, Vanessa traveled with Compassion International to Nicaragua as part of their outreach to the children there. Later that year, she was a featured speaker with a seminar on “How To Manage Your Quarter-Life Crisis” on the PraiseFest Cruise With A Cause to the Bahamas. Most recently, Vanessa returned to her studies at Moody Bible Institute, where she is working toward a master’s in Biblical education.