my story

I grew up all across America with a fairly normal family (that originally comes from Northern Minnesota). Because I was an “Army Brat” I was able to live in nearly every region of the country and in the process quickly learned how to adapt and make the best of every situation.

When I was a sophomore in high school (living in St. Louis, MO), I met an interesting group of friends who were followers of Jesus and who actually lived what they believed. Through their influence (and I’m sure through the prayers of many family members), I decided that I too wanted to become a follower of Jesus and live my life bringing this message to a hurting world.

After graduating from High School (now in Ft. Lewis, WA), I stumbled into a job at a local church leading a JH ministry. I continued in that position during all four of my college years.

Upon completion of college (1997) I continued my lifelong habit of relocating every few years and I moved to Southern California to complete a Master’s Degree at Talbot Seminary. I accepted a position working with youth at Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton and in the fall of that year I married my wife Sara. Together we loved our ministry in Fullerton and had an amazing experience with all of the students, leaders, and other staff people at that church.

With the addition of our first son (Isaac) in 2000, we moved on to another position in Mission Viejo, CA where we remained for over 7 years. During that time, we were completely blessed with hundreds of amazing experiences, with new friendships, and  with countless opportunities to see God move in our midst.

In 2007, after the birth of our 3rd son, we decided to move to Jerusalem, Israel to begin work towards a potential PhD. program. I studied at the Hebrew University and spent countless hours working on Hebrew language and Ancient Near Eastern Studies. We also had the incredible opportunity to travel throughout the Middle East and fall in love with that region of the world.

In the Fall of 2008, we returned to California where our two oldest boys re-entered their Spanish Immersion School and where I set out on a whole new adventure of working at a brand new church in South Orange County. Up to this point, our new Church (Soma Church of Orange County) continues to be a source of blessing in our lives.

Our focus is to lead a gathering of people into real Christ-like discipleship that is a “go and be” mentality more than a “come and see” mentality. We believe that any discipleship that does not call followers to live in the community while bringing the love and grace of Jesus to all we encounter is no discipleship at all.

During this chapter in my life, I am blessed with 3 boys (9,7, & 2), and an amazing wife who does some work as an Event and Wedding Planner as well as an incredible gourmet caterer (lucky me!).

I work at a local coffee shop for the health benefits they offer and for a season in my life where I can better learn how to lead my local congregation as they enter the secular work force everyday.

My dream is to lead a church (Soma Church for now) that serves the local community through helping the poor and fighting for the oppressed, that brings the good news of Jesus in word and in deed everywhere we go in order to bless the world in which we live, and that brings the message of Jesus to the most difficult places on earth.