Expressions of Thought

If there was a preacher in my family growing up, it was my brother. For some reason I never forgot those words. Although those words were never spoken over me by my parents – they never did totally evade me at the same time.

I was 21 years old and newly married when I first sensed Jesus stirring in my heart to become a pastor.   Outside of what my parents said about my brother, it was something that I had never considered before. In fact, it was even something that my wife prayed against as a teenager. She clearly made it known that she didn’t want to marry a pastor.  She will kindly tell you that she married an electrical contractor.  Although I grew up around new construction and liked working with my hands, I couldn’t deny nor shake the ever growing reality that God had something different for me.

You can imagine the ensuing wrestling match we had. I wrestled with my insecurity and all the reasons why I should be disqualified. In the same way, my wife was wrestling with her ideas of what she thought would be required of her as a pastor’s wife. Initially, it was hard to come to a place of surrender. After a good internal struggle and the shedding of a few tears, however, we came to that place!

Shortly after the youth pastor of our church in Centralia resigned, things took off from there.  In a very short period of time we found ourselves in a scary position…leading young people.  Although we were young and green, we surrendered our lives to Jesus.  It was a done deal.  We wanted nothing more than to follow His lead.

The next 12 years of our journey were amazing.  They are filled with many wonderful memories and experiences.  We learned a ton. We grew a lot.  Pastor Bill and Becca were patient with us.  We did our best to love people. We were involved in the community.  All of our children besides one were born while we lived in Centralia.  And then we began to sense transition – it was time to move!

In July of 2007 we stepped into a new season of life and leadership and became the pastors of Harbor Life Church in Gig Harbor. Different people. Different context, but the same mission. I can with authenticity say that we love where we are and what we doing! We have many dreams and are excited to see  those dreams become a reality.

As interesting and unique as all that is, you may also like to know this about me.  I love being a husband and father.  My wife and I have been together for over 17 years – (over 15 as a married couple at the time of this writing).   Although Amy and I are different in many ways, we complement each other well. We make a great team. I am also an engaged father of 7 incredible children. It takes a great team you know, to raise your own little tribe! I love to wrestle and play chase. I love to watch them grow and experience new things.  I love our times around the dinner table.  I love listening to they laugh and pray.  And I love to challenge people’s perception on what it means to have a big family.

I find that parenting is very similar to what I do in the church. The same culture that we are working to create in our family, a culture of grace and respect – is the same culture that we are working to create in our church.

In this condensed look at my life, I trust that you get a sense of what makes me the person I am.  I am one blessed man!  Thank you Jesus for the life you have given me!