Bio

I grew up in a crowded little home outside Detroit as the oldest of seven homeschooled ruffians. I belonged to a beautiful community called Fairlane Alliance Church—a Christian and Missionary Alliance church passionate about bringing the Gospel to every corner of the planet. It was there that I first caught a glimpse of God’s work, both around the world and in my own backyard. It was also where, as a terrified 16-year-old, I was invited to give my first sermon. To this day, I’m fairly certain it was the worst sermon ever preached, but that moment planted a seed—a love for ministry that God began to grow.

As a teenager, my plan had always been to move somewhere warmer, study music or psychology, and maybe pick up surfing along the way. But God had other plans. After a long and arduous wrestling match, I finally surrendered to His call and, in 2003, moved to Elgin, Illinois, to study Youth Ministry and Adolescent Studies at Judson University. My time there was both rich and challenging, full of the highs and lows of “in the trenches” local church ministry, but God continued to cultivate the seed He had planted years before.

In 2006, I spent a summer serving in some of the poorest communities in northern India—a trip that changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. Upon returning, I stepped into ministry as the Pastor of Student Ministries at a wonderful church called Poplar Creek.

Over the next few years, our church faced some of the most difficult challenges imaginable. In 2010, we found ourselves without a Lead Pastor, attendance had plummeted, and the Stewardship Committee predicted six months to total bankruptcy. It was in the eye of that storm that the leadership asked me to prayerfully consider stepping into the role of Lead Pastor. Despite my lack of experience (or a decent haircut), I felt God stirring that seed once again—and so, with a mixture of faith and fear, I stepped into the role.

The following six years were remarkable. We saw God move in ways I had only dreamed of, and my love for Him and for people only deepened. Our church became a family—a community that cared deeply for one another and pursued God with their whole lives. Two years into this role, on a Sunday morning, I met a woman named Katie. She would become the love of my life.

In 2016, Katie and I got married, and I stepped into a new role as a Teaching Pastor at Community Christian Church in Chicagoland. Two years later, I began hosting a radio show called The Common Good on AM1160 (WYLL), where I had the opportunity to engage in conversations about faith, culture, and the common good.

In 2021, we once again sensed God leading us into something new. That journey brought us to The Bridge Church, just outside Nashville, TN, where I now serve as the Lead Pastor of Teaching and Vision.

Along the way, I also pursued graduate studies, earning my Master’s degree from Emmanuel Seminary.

Katie and I have three amazing young boys—Owen, Redmond, and Ezra—and we’re loving the adventure God has us on.