Wolverine Free Methodist Church
Wolverine, Michigan 49799
231-330-4922

• Education: I met my wife at Spring Arbor University. Each of us earned our BA from Spring Arbor. I’m preparing to enroll in Northwest Nazarene University’s M.Div program (with an emphasis on Missional Leadership) in Fall 2008.
• Experience: This is my first local church. I was appointed in 1999. At that time, the church was in a major decline: weekly attendance was less than 20, there was more than $32,000 in debt. By God’s grace and power, our church has turned around. We were debt-free within two years and we continue to enjoy steady growth.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: Thanks for browsing. I’m keen to receive feedback; encouragement is nice criticism is welcome. I’m new to the SC community.
• Family: I’ve been married since 1997. In 2005, we adopted a baby girl from China. In 2008, we will adopt a second daughter from Taiwan. I was born in Wolverine; my family roots go back three generations on both sides. I enjoy living within proximity of my parents; altogether, there are about two dozen members of extended family living within a fifteen mile radius.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My parents attend my church. My father is on staff, he’s an licensed professional counselor with a doctorate of ministry. He’s way over-qualified to work for me! My folks like my sermons; but they’re gracious and mature. My mom can find of kernel of nourishing truth in any message; my dad reminds me that good messages are usually simple...and short.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She doesn’t like the fact that I tend to refer to myself quite often; but she’s willing to put up with it as long as I don’t ever talk about her! Recently, she gave me a big hug after I closed a passionate sermon. It was better than having Gatorade dumped over my head. My feet still haven’t come all the way back down to the ground since that affirmation.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Use your own sense of humor; pay attention to timing--and don’t be afraid of silence.
• Hobbies: My biggest hobby: collecting Lake Superior agates (semi-precious gemstones) along the shorelines of Michigan’s Upper Penninsula. My perfect day: crawling along miles of a remote beach, clawing through hills of rocks, gathering gemstones while the steady sound of Lake Superior waves wash the cowbwebs out of my head. It’s invigorating.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: True story: I was preaching to a record Easter Sunday crowd a few years ago; following a carefully crafted transcipt. Things were going very well. Wrapping up an illustration about our hope of heaven, I declared that we would live together and revel in "glorious immorality." Spell check didn’t catch the missing "t." Everyone in the congregation did. They roared!
• What I want on my tombstone: He Finished Very Well