About
When I was a junior in high school, I sensed God calling me to a life of ministry (specifically, youth ministry). After graduating from Xenia Christian I attended Moody, where I graduated in 2003 with a degree in youth ministry. I’ve been serving in youth and family ministry for the past 17 years.
I don’t view youth ministry for me personally as a stepping stone to “another ministry” or a “larger ministry”. I’m not the world’s greatest or the funniest youth pastor (although, I think I’m pretty funny). I don’t wear skinny jeans (trust me, that’s a good thing) and I don’t talk like a surfer, but I LOVE working with teens and families and couldn’t imagine experiencing more joy serving in another ministry in the church.
I’ve found youth ministry to be a delicate balance of adult leader, friend, encourager, pastor, teacher…etc. all wrapped into one. I love the laughter; I love watching them grow in their faith from the time they enter Jr. High and then later sharing with them evidences of their growth as they graduate. I love lock-ins (I’m crazy), summer camp, mission trips, dodge ball, crazy games. I deeply love it when a teenager has a “lightbulb moment” (when something about God just all of the sudden makes sense). I love discipling and training leaders to do youth ministry/family ministry together. I know I’m not going to be able to do youth ministry forever, but I’d sure like to do it as long as possible.
Over the years I’ve seen God develop spiritual gifts in my life. It seems like some of the gifts that God has developed in me are pastoring, teaching, encouraging and serving. I think there’s a common thread of compassion in all of those gifts. I’ve got a heart that wants to help everyone. I see that compassion flow out of those four gifts. I’ve also learned that there’s a lot of stuff you go through in life that doesn’t go on a “resume”, but God really uses it to help you serve and love people. My wife and I have learned that life is HARD. Over the last several years we’ve been through A LOT. We’ve experienced the heartache of her dad’s battle with leukemia which ended in 2013. We’ve watched our city in St. Louis struggle to get along with each other (Ferguson). We tried to help our youth group heal and process from the riots and the hatred that existed in our city. We took care of Karon (our severe medically handicapped foster son for 20 months) until he passed away in August 2015. Then two weeks after his death we welcomed the birth of our daughter, Madelyn. Two summers ago, my father had some health issues which required a long-term recovery. We were able to buy the house next door to my parents to be close and help them through the recovery. We’ve experienced a lot of heartaches in life, but we’ve seen God’s goodness evidenced in each situation. We’ve been able to care for nine foster kids over the past few years and currently have two 1-year old foster babies in our home. We look forward to caring for many more foster kids in the future. We’re thankful that God has used us to love people when they go through the tough stuff as well.
I’d love to talk more about the ministry position at your church.
I don’t view youth ministry for me personally as a stepping stone to “another ministry” or a “larger ministry”. I’m not the world’s greatest or the funniest youth pastor (although, I think I’m pretty funny). I don’t wear skinny jeans (trust me, that’s a good thing) and I don’t talk like a surfer, but I LOVE working with teens and families and couldn’t imagine experiencing more joy serving in another ministry in the church.
I’ve found youth ministry to be a delicate balance of adult leader, friend, encourager, pastor, teacher…etc. all wrapped into one. I love the laughter; I love watching them grow in their faith from the time they enter Jr. High and then later sharing with them evidences of their growth as they graduate. I love lock-ins (I’m crazy), summer camp, mission trips, dodge ball, crazy games. I deeply love it when a teenager has a “lightbulb moment” (when something about God just all of the sudden makes sense). I love discipling and training leaders to do youth ministry/family ministry together. I know I’m not going to be able to do youth ministry forever, but I’d sure like to do it as long as possible.
Over the years I’ve seen God develop spiritual gifts in my life. It seems like some of the gifts that God has developed in me are pastoring, teaching, encouraging and serving. I think there’s a common thread of compassion in all of those gifts. I’ve got a heart that wants to help everyone. I see that compassion flow out of those four gifts. I’ve also learned that there’s a lot of stuff you go through in life that doesn’t go on a “resume”, but God really uses it to help you serve and love people. My wife and I have learned that life is HARD. Over the last several years we’ve been through A LOT. We’ve experienced the heartache of her dad’s battle with leukemia which ended in 2013. We’ve watched our city in St. Louis struggle to get along with each other (Ferguson). We tried to help our youth group heal and process from the riots and the hatred that existed in our city. We took care of Karon (our severe medically handicapped foster son for 20 months) until he passed away in August 2015. Then two weeks after his death we welcomed the birth of our daughter, Madelyn. Two summers ago, my father had some health issues which required a long-term recovery. We were able to buy the house next door to my parents to be close and help them through the recovery. We’ve experienced a lot of heartaches in life, but we’ve seen God’s goodness evidenced in each situation. We’ve been able to care for nine foster kids over the past few years and currently have two 1-year old foster babies in our home. We look forward to caring for many more foster kids in the future. We’re thankful that God has used us to love people when they go through the tough stuff as well.
I’d love to talk more about the ministry position at your church.
