Eastpoint Church
Spokane Valley, Washington 99037
208-651-0978

• Education: BA in Biblical Lit. and NT Greek from Northwest University, Seattle WA MA in Religion and Church Ministry from Liberty Seminary, Lynchburg VA MAR in Religious Education from Liberty Seminary, Lynchburg VA MDiv from Liberty Seminary, Lynchburg VA Seeking Doctoral candidacy from Talbot School of Theology, Summer of 2010
• Experience: I served as youth pastor at Harvest Heights Church in Tri-Cities, Washington; Youth and Worship Pastor at Heartland Church in Apple Valley, MN; Worship Pastor at Life Center North Church in Spokane, WA; Pastor of New Hope Church in Post Falls, ID; and now serves as Pastor of Discipleship at Eastpoint Church in Spokane Valley, WA.
• One of my favorite illustrations: My hometown at the theme park. I almost did not get to ride my first roller coaster as a boy. The park attendant saw that I didn’t quite meet the "standard" of the ruler. But even though I wasn’t "this tall" he let me in because I was with my dad. I have always loved that picture of God’s grace. Even when I fail to meet the standard, he lets me in to his Kingdom based on a relationship with the Heavenly Father through Jesus his son.
• Family: 4 hilarious kids and an amazing wife.
• What my parents think of my sermons: Love them
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She loves them as long as she is not featured in them :)
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Never craft the sermon to be read, but instead create the written document to be heard.
• Books that have had an impact: NT Wright, Jesus and the People of God. __________, The Challenge of Jesus. Gordon Fee, Hearing the Spirit in the Text. ___________, How to Read the Bible for All its Worth. Ken Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes. __________, Jesus, Poet and Peasant. Craig Keener, Gift and Giver: The Holy Spirit for Today Jerry Sittser, A Grace Disguised. Michael Wilkins, Following the Master: A Biblical Theology of Discipleship Ron Mehl, God Works the Night Shift. Greg Boyd, The Jesus Legend: A Case for the Historical Reliability of the Synoptic Tradition.
• Hobbies: I enjoy tinkering in the Garage, going on hikes in the Beautiful Pacific Northwest and I love reading and writing. My favorite hobby is playing with my funny little kids, and family activities.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: if you believe in Christ, you will live and never die.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: I said two lines that inadvertently rhymed, then apologized for the "Dr. Seuss" moment. You had to be there.
• What I want on my tombstone: Here is a man who left the grave nothing but an empty shell. Who gave it all for Jesus.