Some people think that pastors live on a different plane of existence than “regular” folk. I’d like to let you in on a secret. I am painfully ordinary. I am just a man who has been transformed by an encounter with a loving and gracious God. As a teenager, I knelt at an altar at a Southern Missouri youth camp and surrendered my life to Jesus. That one decision has made all the difference in the world. As I experienced the grace and beauty of Jesus, I became consumed with the desire to share the love and forgiveness that I had found with as many people as possible. That was the birth of God’s call on my life.
In 1990, I made one of the smartest decisions of my life (second only to my decision to follow Jesus). It was the decision to marry my wife, Julie, and I’m still not sure how I tricked her into marrying me. Julie has become my confidant, my encourager, my shoulder to cry on, and my partner in ministry. After twelve years of marriage, we didn’t think we were going to be able to have any children. But in 2002, we were “surprised” by the birth of our oldest daughter, Erin. Our youngest daughter, Abby, arrived nearly four years later. Being a husband and a father has taught me more about God’s love than all of the books I have read put together.
My family and I are on a quest to know Jesus deeply and to follow him wholeheartedly. That journey has led through Missouri, Kansas, Idaho, Nevada, and South Carolina. In 2018, the road took another turn as we felt the leading of God to move to Marion to become the pastor of Restoration Life Church. I can’t think of anything that would bring more joy into my life than leading this great church into the future that God has planned for it. I invite you to join us on our journey. It may not always be easy, but it will be worth it.
