FAQ

What is your ministry passion ?

I am passionate about the people of God knowing the Word of God. This is the primary way that God reveals Himself to us and that revelation helps us understand who we are.

I am also passionate about shepherding a local congregation into a community that is transparent and available with one another. I deeply believe that there is a rootedness in Gospel community that needs to be constantly nurtured. As my mentor, Brad Ellgen says, “People need people.” His over-simplified phrase communicates that every person longs to be welcomed, known and valued in the family of Christ. However, this rootedness does not simply happen. It is the result of intentionality and an investment of time and resources in every ministry area of a church.

I have learned that the power of the church is in prayer. It is our humble cry for mercy and help. There must be a tangible gathering of the local church that devotes itself to lifting our needs to the Father. Richard Baxter writes, “Prayer is the breath of every new creation.” The church needs to breathe…. regularly.

Quickly tell us how you became a believer?

My faith came to be as a result of faithful Sunday school ministry. Mr. Carnihan was my 4th grade Sunday school teacher at University Baptist Church in Fayetteville, AR. It was a Sunday morning lesson with a flannel graph that the Holy Spirit used to regenerate my heart. I remember the flannel stone being rolled away and Jesus being gone - Mr. Carnihan must have also been an amateur magician. He explained that Jesus was alive as he placed the flannel Jesus on top of the tomb. He shared with us a prayer that we could pray to ask Jesus to come live in our hearts. That night as my parents prayed for me at bedtime, I prayed for Jesus to come live in me. Jesus became my Savior that night and he has been teaching me His ways ever since.