MADE TO WORSHIP

 

GROWING UP

             Growing up I was the oldest of three boys.  My parents were both very strong believers and we were very involved in church as a family.  My parents used to force me to go to church and I can remember sleeping and playing GI Joes in the back wooden pews of the church. When I was in junior high, I started to become more rebellious so my parents decided to send me to a Christian school.  During that year my behavior didn’t change and I ended up getting kicked out of the school.  I went to a local public school where I played football and volleyball in high school.  I started hanging around with the wrong people and found myself experimenting with drugs, I was crossing boundaries with girls that I should not have, I was going to parties, I was getting in fights, several of my friends were getting arrested or in serious trouble, I didn’t care about school and I was getting bad grades. My bad habits and behavior continued into my senior year.   During my senior year I was sneaking out of the house a lot and going to parties.

 

             My senior year I also was “working” at the church with a youth pastor.  I didn’t really believe in God at that point but I had found a way to get around the school system, or so I thought.  I took a work experience class where I was done with school after lunch and my “work” was hanging out with the youth pastor building an indoor climbing wall.  Little did I know that it was God's divine appointment for me to eventually attend college at Point Loma Nazarene University, which would eventually lead to my salvation.  When college applications came around I applied for all the party schools my friends were going to and then for Point Loma.

 

             I took my SAT’s with a hangover and had really bad grades and should not have gotten in to Point Loma.  I applied for early registration where all the smartest kids with good grades and test scores get in.  I was daring God at that point.  I didn’t believe at that time but I told God “If you really do exist get me in for early registration”, because I believed it would have to be a miracle for that to happen.  Well I got in for early registration and decided to go even though I still didn’t believe.  My Freshman year I found the party crowd and got into the same routine.  I got caught smoking and was put on academic probation and was in the same downward spiral as before college.

 

A CALL TO SALVATION

“My Heart: What do I love?”

 

GUIDING QUESTION

“Who is God and who am I in light of who God is?”

 

“Each of us has a battle raging within us over

what we love most, God or something else.”

 

I was in chapel at Point Loma one day and the Holy Spirit overwhelmed me during the music and I gave my life to Christ right there.  My bad habits still hadn’t changed though.  I was still smoking, drinking and doing all sorts of other bad things.

 

A CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

“My Mind: What do I believe?”

 

GUIDING QUESTION

“Where is my identity found?”

 

I slowly went through a process of the Holy Spirit refining me and speaking into my life about things I should change.  My language started to change and the Holy Spirit convicted me.  At one point I remember throwing away a binder of CD’s that cost hundreds of dollars.  I felt the Holy Spirit convicting me that I needed to make drastic life changes.  I pleaded with God to just let me sell the music to make my money back.  God won that argument and I tossed the CD’s in a dumpster.

 

LIFE LESSON

What you listen to, what you watch, the people you decide get to be your friends

all have an affect on who you are becoming

 

A CALL TO SERVICE

“My Hands: What do I practice?”

 

GUIDING QUESTION

“What is my contribution to the great Commandment/Commission?”

 

“God isn’t looking for something brilliant he’s looking for something broken.”

 

I began to do youth pastor internships at different churches in San Diego and serve in worship teams learning how to use my gifts that God had given me.

 

A CALL TO LEADERSHIP

“My Life: What do I model?”

 

LIFE SCRIPTURE

“Therefore brothers and sisters in light of Gods mercy offer yourselves as living sacrifices wholly and pleasing to God.” (Romans 12:1)

 

This scripture has become a guiding force in who I am becoming.  My life story has changed its focus from who I am to who God is and what he can do through me.

 

“Preach the gospel always and when necessary use words”

St Francis Assisi

 

           In college I decided to change my major to Philosophy and Theology because I loved the study of God and His story so much.  I fell in love with studying about God.  Shortly after I met my beautiful bride Jennifer who I had previously attended high school with.  Jennifer and I dated long distance for 2 years while she attended school at Fresno State and I was in San Diego.  We would see each other in the summers when I would come home.  We both graduated, we got married and moved to Kansas together in 1 month.  In Kansas I attended seminary for 3 years where I got my Masters in Christian education. Since graduating we have had an adventurous ride of ministry.  Along the way we have been blessed to have 3 wonderful children, Kaleb who is 8, Abigail who is 6 and Nathan who is 2.