Associate Pastor
The overarching philosophy of my ministry would be to encourage believers to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ throughout their lifetime. I believe that happens when a person: 1) has a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, 2) learns about God's plan through His Word, 3) lives in authentic community with fellow believers, 4) is held accountable in a mentoring relationship and 5) learns to serve others.
A Brief History
My wife Jennifer and I were married in June of 1998. We have two sons, Jacob and Caleb who are thirteen months apart in age. God put many miles in between us as children as I grew up in Eastern Canada and Jennifer is a local girl born and raised in the Silver Spring area. It is important to us to worship in a multi-cultural community of faith., but also one which welcomes people of all types. Our younger son Caleb has moderately severe autism and thus we as a family have a heart and passion to reach out to families like ours where the struggles are quite unique.
I grew up around church but did not commit my life to Christ until age 20. It was then that I began the true work of being a Christ follower. A follower needs a leader, and that leader is Jesus. I love sports and call myself a convert of Monday Night Football Evangelism. I'm also a huge fan of many different styles of music.
Education
BA in Psychology from University of New Brunswick.MDiv in Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Currently enrolled in Urban Youth Workers Certificate Program from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Interests and Favorites
First Job: Stock boy and custodian at a clothing department store.
Places: Ocean City, MD. Love the beach, love this one for the family history. Saint John New Brunswick Canada, my hometown. Paradise in the summer. St Thomas, USVI.
What's on Your iPod: Mine is generic, but my wife has two I-POD's so that makes up for it! On my MP3 you will find Skillet, Kutless, Reliant K, P.O.D., Toby Mac, Family Force 5 and some secular stuff.
Books: Irresistable Revolution, Shane Claiborne. Character That Counts, Whose Counting Your's?, Rod Handley. unChristian, David Kinnaman, Finding your Greater Yes, Dan Erickson.
What Do You TiVo: House, Criminal Minds, American Idol, Without A Trace, CSI.
Hobbies: Sports such as Baseball, Racquetball, Golf. Fantasy sports. Online and video games, just chillin'.
Greatest Indulgence: Steak Egg and Cheese Bagel with a large Hazelnut Ice Coffee from Mc Donalds.
Movies: Remember the Titans, Dark Knight, Facing The Giants, Dumb and Dumber, Waterboy.
Odd Facts: I am ambidextrous, which means I can do most things with both hands.
Memorable Moments: Meeting Jennifer for the first time after a month of talking every day on the phone and internet for hours. The birth of my sons. Seeing the 9th Ward in New Orleans years after Katrina and it still looking like it happened a month ago.
Someone Who Has Been Influential in Your Life: God has truly been gracious to me. He has provided key people at every stage of my life. I try to learn from everyone.
Life Verse: John 3:30 HE must increase and I must decrease.
