I am the teaching and lead pastor of the Journey. 

Some basics first.

I enjoy playing golf. Because my whole family plays, I get to play fairly often.  My wife and I enjoy 18 holes together for our weekly date and I play 9 holes with my kids a couple of times a week when things aren’t too terribly hectic.

My daughter loves “Tinker-bell” fairy movies, so I get roped into that sometimes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My 3 oldest boys and I play paintball in the woods out back when the weather is cooler.  Nothing is more fun that shooting my boys while they scamper through the woods.  It is therapy.  They are getting pretty sharp though, so I’d better watch my back.

I enjoy college and pro football and I am an avid woodworker, having partially provided for my family through that avenue for much of my ministry. 

I don’t know why you would care what my favorite movie, sport, or hobby is, but if you really must know, I love the movie Nacho Libre.  I have the accent down cold.

Now, the important things:

I am taken with Jesus.  God demonstrated to me in Christ that He is more than enough for me.  The gospel has always been my only hope.  God’s graces have always come in sufficient amounts to help me cope with the trials of being a husband, father, man, and pastor.  Pastoring is hard and often emotionally draining work and yet Jesus has promised to be with me in the context of mission and I see the evidences of this everywhere in my life.

I am taken with my wife, Tera.  I have loved one woman for the past 16 years and she is my greatest friend, and to be honest, she is my greatest minister and encourager.  She faithfully ministers the gospel to me because I am in need of it all the time.  If I am any good to anyone, it is because my wife is such an amazing grace to me.  I love being with her, and I will always choose her first.

I am taken with my kids.  My wife has born 7 children to me.

Athan, 13, is tenderhearted and the most amazing help parents could ever have in an eldest son, However, he roots for Florida over Georgia just to irritate me.

Malec, 12, is fiery, competitive, and a natural born leader.  He watches every football game with me and loves the Dawgs.

Bristol would be 10. We’ll get to know her more in eternity.  She passed away in her sleep when she was 3 months old.  We do not grieve, but we await in hope to see her again.

Ander, 9, is a consummate ladies’ man with blonde, surfer hair that I envy. He is kind-hearted, but very macho—in a good way.

Aowyn, 8, is her mom’s carbon copy.  She’s endearingly clumsy, and like her mom, her smile causes a room to brighten.

Balin, 2, is Ander’s carbon copy.  When you see the two of them together, you will know what I mean.  This kid is so funny it hurts.  He is definitely better than TV.

Knox, 8 mo, is hard to describe.  He is so much fun right now and has the clearest blue eyes I have ever seen.  We’re thankful that God gave him to us, even when we weren’t, well, planning for him.

My sole ambition for my children is that they would grow up to know and love Jesus.  They are my first church. 

Finally, I am taken with the church.  I have been a lead pastor for 15 years striving with all of my might to present people mature in Christ (Col 1:28-29).  When so many seem to be giving up on the church, I cannot get away from a vision of Christ’s bride—faithful and pure to the husband who laid Himself down for her.  I will continue to do so until the Lord tells me otherwise.