Trips to Africa

Growing up in church as a young boy, I believed in God and knew all the Bible stories.  Even though I was taught the difference between right and wrong, I was never taught “why” and had a distorted view of God and viewed Him as someone up in heaven watching to punish me when I did something wrong. 

At 16 years of age I was struggling with my identity and who I really was and that manifested itself in anxiety/worry, loneliness, being self-absorbed and seeking the approval of others.  I made the decision of my own will that I would not allow someone else, even God, to tell me how I was going to live my life.  Open rebellion toward my parents and God lead me to start drinking alcohol and that very quickly lead to smoking pot and then losing my virginity.  From the time I was 16 until 25 I lived life on my own terms.  Anything that the world said would make me happy I experimented with.  I tried to find happiness in money, drugs and physical relationships with girls but the further I strayed from God the more empty I became. 

One of the great mysteries in life is that God would continue to pursue and love me in spite of my rebellion.  This can best be summarized by Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  At 25 years of age, God finally brought me to me knees. It was one of the most difficult times in my life but some people are so stubborn that until they are broken they will not submit.  In September of 1992, in a decision of my own free will, I recommitted my life to the Lord Jesus Christ.  I am far from perfect, but when my life before Christ was marked by anxiety, loneliness, self-absortion and seeking approval, my life now is marked by peace, joy, purpose and freedom that can only be found in Jesus.  I now have a personal relationship with the God of the Universe based on my relationship with his son Jesus Christ. 

My life verse is Phil. 3:13-14

“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Considering the first 25 years of my life were about myself and worldly pleasure, my desire is to make the rest of my life about glorifying God and making Him known in Dallas and among the nations.  International mission trips have had a dramatic impact on my spiritual life and I have often said “Once you see God doing something through you that only God can do, you will never be the same.”  I am humbled to have been on staff full-time with e3 Partners since December, 2000.  Our mission is to fulfill God’s Great Commission by Equipping God’s people to Evangelize the lost and Establish churches that reproduce themselves all to God’s glory!  I am so blessed to partner with Watermark Community Church by taking single adults out of their comfort zone and going to Ethiopia to partner with Ethiopian believers and share about how Jesus Christ has changed our lives.  Many people in Ethiopia have a distorted view of God just like I did when I was young and it gives me great joy to share how much God loves them and desires a personal relationship with each one. 

My E3 Partners “mission verse” is Psalm 96:1-3

“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 

Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

I married my wife, Kelli, in 2007 and we were blessed on February 17, 2014 to add Hunter and then in November 2016 to add Caleb to our family.  Children are a blessing from the Lord and it has been a joy to watch our boys grow and develop.  While our family size has increased, so have the obligations that go along with children.  God has been so faithful to provide for our needs and he has done that through faithful ministry partners who give to e3 so that I can do this full-time.  Thank you for prayerfully considering our ministry support.  Let me know if you have any questions. 

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