My Faith Story. . .

My father had grown up the son of a pastor, but by the time he married my mother, he had wondered far from the faith. My mother, by contrast, had grown up in an alcoholic home where faith was barely even a passing thought. So, during my childhood, our family was disengaged from the faith.

That changed for me at the age of 11. Our family began attending a small church after moving to a new community. After attending for two years, at the age of 13, I made a move towards God that my church interpreted as salvation. I was baptized and became an unregenerate member of this congregation. As I grew older and began to read Scripture for myself, I realized that my life did not align with biblical teachings on God’s regenerating work of salvation (Gal 5:16-24). I could do whatever I wanted to do, and the only thing I felt bad about was that I felt bad about nothing.

After many years of “faking faith”, on March 3, 1998, I set aside my pride and admitted that I had been living a lie—as my works had demonstrated. I put my total dependance on Christ that day. Since then, I have experienced nothing short of a total revolution in the way I think and live. God has been ridiculously good to me. Now my desire is to share his message with others.

Today, my spiritual walk is sustained by that same grace that saved me. Prompted by the work of Christ in my life, I continue to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil 3:14). The grace of God manifests itself in my life in a deep desire for excellence in service to our God that simply did not exist before coming to faith in Jesus. As I strive to fulfill the call of God on my life, I am learning to trust God more than my very limited abilities and abundant inabilities.

My Ministry. . .

I feel called to help people see Jesus in everyday life.

After undergraduate work at Liberty University and the Harvest Institute for Biblical Studies (Tennessee Temple), I completed the Advanced Master of Divinity in Preaching & Pastoral Leadership from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.  I hold a Certificate in Biblical Counseling from BCI and I am currently pursuing the Doctor of Ministry at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where I have just completed a dissertation project on preaching without notes.

In addition to pastoring churches in Tennessee and Texas, God has allowed me to speak at revivals and conferences across the United States. I have taught classes in Biblical Studies and Theology as a graduate assistant at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and as an adjunct professor for the Smith Biblical Institute for Pastoral Training. And I am a regular contributor to Preaching.com and PreachingToday.com where I write devotional articles for preachers and teachers.

Currently I serve as Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Winthrop Harbor, a village located in the northeastern corner of Illinois on beautiful Lake Michigan.

Just Some Random Facts. . .

Statement of Faith: After many years of “faking” faith, I responded to God’s authentic call to Lordship Salvation in the spring of 1998.

Favorite Bible Verse: Romans 7:24-8:2 & 1 Corinthians 9:27

Hobbies & Interest: I enjoy reading, working brain teasers, and hanging out with Kim (and sometimes the kids). I am also an avid cyclist and enjoy fitness activities.

Favorite Books: Bible (of course), The Minister as Shepherd by Charles Jefferson, Dangerous Calling by Paul David Tripp, Made to Stick and Decisive by Chip and Dan Heath, and pretty much everything by Kyle Idleman & Mark Batterson

Favorite Movies: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Passion of the Christ, Interstellar, and the filmography of Ken Burns

Favorite Music: This is My Story, Blessed Be The Name, any worship music by Chris Tomlin or Paul Baloche.