I am a native of San Carlos, California, just south of San Francisco. God introduced himself to me through one of my best friends on the ball field who invited me to church camp. After seven years of camp I went to church and I've been coming back ever since. I am a flesh-and-blood example of how each member of the body of Christ can play a pivotal role in reaching out to its community.

My educational resume probably won't knock your socks off. (It doesn't even knock mine off!) I'm a graduate of Abilene Christian University, and I'm currently taking classes toward my Master's of Christian Ministry degree. I'm certainly confident in the pulpit and feel like I have a strong grasp on the Word and that the Word has an increasingly strong grasp on me. But I believe without a doubt that God has hard-wired me to be a minister of the gospel in the literal sense of the word. That encompasses public speaking, for sure, but any ministry in which I'm involved must include rolled-up sleeves, face-to-face contact, and plenty of opportunities to cast a vision within both the community of faith and individuals of how the risen Christ can redeem each area of our lives.

After twelve years of full time youth ministry and part time preaching, God brought Kim and I out of California and back to Texas. Recently I have been serving as Associate Campus Minister at Highland Church of Christ, Director of Ministry Development for Crosswind Ministries, and Executive Director of ONE, an intercollegiate bible study in Abilene. In my spare time I travel and speak nationally and oversee my own non profit ministry, Firstverb Ministries which exists to communicate the Gospel, consult with church leaders, and coach younger ministers.

Any biographical description of me begins and ends with my wife, Kim; and my children, John, 19; Laura, 15; and Emily, 8. They are without a doubt the most powerful sermons of Christ's love and God's goodness I've ever watched preached. Small in statue, my wife Kim is my biggest fan and has a heart roughly the size of planet Jupiter. She was apparently given a double dose of hospitality and kindness by God for which I am eternally grateful. We are in love! We go on weekly date nights and embarrass our kids daily with our public displays of affection. My son John is my hero. He is a dedicated to the Lord, disciplined in so many areas and brilliant with computers. He works for American Airlines and runs his own computer company, Redsky Services. My daughter Laura just completed her freshman year and is our dancer, singer and "drama" dispenser. Both bold and beautiful, Laura loves Jesus, hates oppression (especially racism) and is counting the days until she can date and drive. My youngest, Emily, is part comic, part cop, and all cute. She too, like her older sister and mother, has a heart for the underdog and wants to help all the poor people. I am often brought to tears when I think of how richly God has blessed me with such an amazing family.

I see the role of the preacher to be more nutritionist and less surgeon. More of a guide and less of a guru. My preaching style is going to be more of a football coach and less of a college professor. I will usually error on the side of grace and always preach of an upside down kingdom. I am learning to love Jesus more and more each day. I love the church but not religion. I embrace change but love ritual. I am so grateful that God has made me a son and not a slave.

I look forward to getting to know each of you better. Thank you so much for checking out the site and I hope we can do ministry together. Brothers and sisters, God is good and his love endures forever. Praise the Lord for he is prodigal with his love!