Tonight, after 8 years of youth ministry, I walked out of the youth room for the final time. I’m not quite sure how I feel about that. I thought I’d always be working with young people, teaching them, loving them, inspiring them … yelling at them. The goal never was to be a pastor as I am now. The goal was always to preach a message of hope to young people who had long lost any sense of hope. To love them. To help them find healing. To help them find, well, hope. Just hope. [Read more…]

Somebody asked me the other day if I would allow a person that smoked to serve in ministry and leadership at my church. The answer, I thought, was a no-brainer. I answered quickly with, “of course!” I’m not sure which shocked them more, actually; the fact that I would allow such people to serve (and even *gasp* minister to others), or the fact that I took no time to think about the answer. But I had plenty of time to think about that answer … [Read more…]

Today my wife and I will celebrate our 6^th wedding anniversary! Six years of being married to the same person – for me, I would say, this is a pretty big milestone. Believe it or not I’m not actually the world’s most amazing person, and living with me can, at times, be slightly difficult. The fact that Katie has been able to stay with me for this amount of time is a testament to her patience and kindness; it’s also a testament to the fact that I have been able to learn, grow, and change as time has gone by. [Read more…]

I’m back at the lake once again, however this time I’m not here to “drift.” This time I’m working, or, at least, getting ready for work. This weekend we are bringing 20 teens from my youth group out to the cabin for a weekend of mayhem fun. So my wife and I came out to clean up the place so that 20 teens can destroy it again enjoy it in tranquility. This weekend, and this trip with 20 teens, will mark the end of nearly eight years of youth ministry (all of them at Willowlake). Eight years of one ministry coming to a close, while I’m already one year into a new ministry, and all after never believing I’d be in ministry at all. [Read more…]

I worked 250 hours last month. I’m not complaining, and I’m certainly not bragging. A lot of people work more, and a lot of people don’t have the luxury of working. It’s just a fact, and most months are like that. Everyday filled with obligations that if I do not fulfill will surely bring on the end of the world. I don’t know about you, but I’m very important [Read more…]