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ROLE:
Student Ministries Director

HISTORY:
This could be a very long one, so I will give the brief version. I was born and raised in Lebanon, IN where I lived on a farm until I was 4 years old. My parents divorced after 20+ years of marriage and some unexpected/ unfortunate situations happened which led to my mother’s death. I lived with my father until I was 9 years old when some other unfortunate situations landed him in jail. Thank God for His blessings in pain which led me to live with my sister’s family until I went to Ball State at the age of 18.

I met my beautiful wife Renee at Ball State and we have been married for 6 years. We have an awesome son named Jackson who was born in March 2010.

We came to Crosspoint through another series of amazing/blessing-in-disguise situations and we couldn’t be more excited to be here. (Talk to me in person some time and I’ll tell you more about my story, it could make a good book.)

WHAT YOU MIGHT SEE ME DOING AROUND XPT:
My role at Crosspoint is the Director of Student Ministries (the best role in the world).

REGULARLY LISTENING TO:
I like all kinds of music from Old School Hip-hop to 70′s Rock, throw in some 70′s funk and whatever else you like (worship songs, modern rock, select pop music, alternative rock – particularly the 90′s alternative and even country). I think music invoke different feelings in different people and I love to experience what a song or artist can invoke in me.

BOOKS I’VE READ/ING THAT LEFT A MARK:
Two of my favorite books of all time are “Wild At Heart” by John Eldridge and “Velvet Elvis” by Rob Bell. Over the last three years I was in seminary where I had the “opportunity” to read hundreds of books (literally hundreds) which molded me in different ways. Others worth mentioning are “The Shack” by William Young (controversial but really challenging to think about) and “Irresistible Revolution” by Shane Claiborne (another challenging read in our consumer society).

TV SHOWS THAT I’M ADDICTED TO:
Favorite TV shows: The Office (who doesn’t like this show, wait I know a couple people), Community, 30 Rock (see another pattern), The Ultimate Fighter (guilty pleasure is the UFC) and Criminal Minds.

MOVIES I COULD WATCH ON REPEAT:
Favorite movies include/but not limited to: Braveheart, Gladiator, all the Lord of the Rings (extended editions), The 13th Warrior (See a pattern?), Zoolander, Spies Like Us (old school funny) and The Count of Monte Cristo.

THREE FOODS I’D DIE FOR:
I don’t know if I’d die for any foods, but I do love 1.) Fried Chicken, 2.) Biscuits and Gravy, 3.)Chicken Strips from Texas Roadhouse (with the rolls and butter) and if I can have one more, I would put in there my wife’s Philly Steak and Cheese.

WEBSITES I FREQUENT:
cnn.com (I’m a news junkie), facebook.com, sherdog.com (mma is my guilty pleasure), foxsports.com and craigslist (to find stuff I would like to buy but never will)

WHEN I GET FREE TIME, I LIKE TO:
… play in competitive basketball games or play video games.

FAVORITE TEAM:
Favorite teams include: Indianapolis Colts (not a bandwagon guy, I actually own a Jim Harbaugh Champion jersey which I’ve had since the 90′s) and the Chicago Bulls (I grew up idolizing Jordan’s game, not lifestyle though).

FAVORITE QUOTES:
“The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena…who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best, knows the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
- Adapted from Theodore Roosevelt (on a plaque that sits on my desk)