Role at The Avenue Church? Pastor
Where are you from?
I spent the first 7 years of my life around Nicoma Park, Oklahoma. We moved to KC when I was 7 and I have lived all around the Metro, but mostly in Blue Springs and Independence.
Family info?
I’ve been married to Amy for 12 years. We met at church and pretty much got engaged on our first date. We have two kids – Riley (7 yrs) and Luke (5 yrs).
What does your background look like?
In the church I have been a Youth Pastor, Church Planting Strategist and Pastor. In business I have built homes, worked in Real Estate investing and had a gratifying stint in telecommunications developing and managing streams of business.
Passions?
I am passionate about learning, so music, reading and writing is what I spend most of my spare time doing.
Sports teams?
The Kansas City Chiefs, The Missouri Tigers, The Los Angeles Lakers and The Royals. I love to spend time with my family and friends, wether its sharing a meal or just hanging out its the best.
Favorite movies?
Goodfellows, Tombstone, Lord of the Rings. I love old westerns and pretty much anything with a sword or gangster in it. A medieval gangster movie would be really great!
What are you “all about?”
I guess I’ll answer that as what my heart longs to be “all about”, since I think this is a spiritual question. I want to have a more deeply transformed life! I think there is an intrinsic danger in churchianity today that we are going wide with information and programs and not deep enough and close enough to Christ and each other. I am all about finding balance between the new things God is doing and what His eternally consistent nature has always done. Growing in my understanding of the Gospel and in my relationship with Jesus is my deepest desire and the thing that matters most.
How about music?
As far as Christian music I have long been a Waterdeep fan. My favorite christian Cd is Sojourn- “Over the Grave” Today my music library is very diverse and all I can say is “I love music!”
Journey to The Avenue?
After attending our sending church LSCC for a few years I felt God speaking to me about church planting. We had the first meeting to start The Avenue in fall of 2005. At first Amy and I thought we might stay at LSCC to continue starting more churches. In time we recognized that God was calling us to go start and help lead this new plant. Embracing the call to Pastor The Avenue and to be a part of this community has been nothing less than awesome!
What excites you about using your role at The Avenue to impact God’s kingdom?
I love Kansas City. Although I live outside the urban core in the burbs, I have a passion for KC. I have never wanted to live anywhere else. I love Jesus and I believe what we all need, what KC needs is to encounter Him and be transformed by His Gospel. As a Pastor here I get to make disciples and train them to make disciples to impact this city for God. To lead a city within a city for the good of Kansas City!
