If any label beyond “Christ follower” fits me, it’s “pilgrim.”
- Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
- Children: 1 on Earth; 1 in Heaven
- Ministry focus: Preaching, equipping ministry, discipleship, missions
- Fun Fact: Believes that a campfire makes just about any conversation better.
I accepted Christ as my Savior at age 5. But as a young adult, I began to pursue a deeper commitment to Christian growth, realizing that I needed to love others more and repent of a self-righteous spirit. God then used the arrival of our second daughter, who had significant special needs, to grow my trust in His sovereignty and to open my eyes to the people in need all around me.
As I built a career in publishing and marketing, I realized, like the author of Ecclesiastes, that worldly success still leaves a soul hungry for God. That’s when God began turning my heart toward ministry through a variety of eye-opening experiences, including a mission trip to South America. Sensing a calling to ministry, I began seminary at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and, eventually followed God’s call to serve at Lakeside.
My wife, Teri, and I are grateful that God has given us the chance to serve Him right here in our adopted home state of Iowa, where we can be near our oldest daughter, Alli; her husband, Noah; and our two grandkids. We daily anticipate our reunion with our daughter Katie in Heaven.