Immanuel Church

When I began my journey of faith in Christ at eleven years old, I understood eternal life almost exclusively as inhabiting the blissful land of Heaven after I die—infinite and bright, complete with harps, streets of gold, a bearded, comforting Jesus, and hopefully many rollercoasters. My first real taste of salvation’s depth occurred at fourteen while on a youth mission trip to Nashville. My enlivened adolescent senses encountered struggle, loss, and triumph in the various places we visited and served. I realized that Jesus was not only saving people from a foreboding Hell; He might be saving us from ourselves. From this point, the story of God’s involvement with His creation, His purposes, His nature, and our response to Him have oriented my life and thought.

Since college, my journey has progressed through corporate America, development work in Guatemala, back again, on to seminary and into marriage. The Lord continues to sustain, challenge, and motivate me, and the adventure continues. In the community of the Church, I wish to continue unearthing the life, goodness, and truth of Christ “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).

I met my wonderful wife Grace in seminary. Our names are a match made in Methodist heaven. Our wonderful daughter Ruth was born in February 2022.

Education:
BBA (Economics), BA (Leadership & Ministry): Harding University (2012)
M.Div: Asbury Theological Seminary (2021)
Places Lived: Born in Jackson, MS and raised in Memphis, TN and Jacksonville, FL. After college in Searcy, AR, my pre-Immanuel life included stops in Jacksonville, FL, Antigua, Guatemala, and Wilmore, KY.
Living Now: Villa Hills, KY
Favorite Movies: Forrest Gump, Remember the Titans, The Dark Knight
Favorite Bible Passages: John 1:4-5; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:21, 2:5-11, 3:10-11; Colossians 2:2-3
Favorite Quotes:  
- “Have compassion for everyone you meet, even if they don't want it. What seems conceit, bad manners, or cynicism is always a sign of things no ears have heard, no eyes have seen. You do not know what wars are going on down there where the spirit meets the bone.” - Miller Williams

- “There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors… Next to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.” - C.S. Lewis
Favorite (Non-Bible) Books:  Mere Christianity; The Great Divorce; The Chronicles of Narnia (and basically anything else by C.S. Lewis); The Man Who Was Thursday
Hobbies: Running, Hiking, Camping, All Things Pertaining to Coffee and Georgia Bulldogs Football