Minister of Students and Young Adults

What’s on your iPod right now?

I’m currently into Disciple, a Christian Rock group that lights it up. Their song Lay My Burdens hits home and resonates with me. However, if you look close, you will find a Carrie Underwood song, but that’s just because it has Jesus in it. 
 

What verse is God currently using in your life?

Hebrews 4:14-16 states, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Funniest Student Ministries moment?

My funniest Student Ministries moment came while we were on our missions trip to Guatemala. We had contracted out a local company to guide our hike up Volcano Pecaya. It would just so happen that our main guide was a young Guatemalan man who spoke English. I believe every high school girl was literally drooling over this guy. Well, I was taught growing up that when an opportunity shows itself, seize it – so I did. After we had climbed to our first checkpoint, one of our high school girls (who I will not name) was going on and on about how “hot” our guide was. As she was speaking, I saw our guide walking towards us so I asked him right there on the spot if it would be ok if this particular girl hiked the rest of the volcano with him. As soon as I said that, this girl pulled a 180-degree turn and faced her friend mumbling out loud, “Is he gone?  Is he gone?  Is he gone?”  So now I’m standing with our guide and he is looking back and forth from her to me not really knowing what to say or do, but just smiling. Everyone around began to crack up laughing.  We still laugh about it today. Well, most of us.

Tell us about yourself...

I am the Minister of Students and Young Adults (AKA: I oversee middle school age through college and young adult, but work hands on with high school students). I am married to Amy and we have two children Elliot and Ruby. I am a soccer guy who likes to make fun of football guys who spend more time taking breaks in a game than they do playing time. I just received my PhD in leadership. I love KU Jayhawks and have already taught Elliot the Rock Chalk Chant. I mostly enjoy just being with my family. 
 

If God had made you an animal, which one would you be and why?

If God made me an animal, I hope I would be a liger. “It’s pretty much my favorite animal. It’s a mix between a lion and a tiger.”