about me

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I was born in a small town in Southern Illinois. Both of my brothers are quite a bit older than me, so I was raised much like an only child. Every Sunday for the first 17 years of my life I attended the little Southern Baptist Church half a block from our home. Though I could quote and even diagram scripture at a young age, my life didn't change until I surrendered to Christ as a young adult. 

It was a typical Sunday morning when I was 26 years old. I was stationed at the back of the church, up in the loft, running sound for the worship service. We had an interim pastor and I can't even remember what he was preaching on, but I felt the Spirit calling me. I lay prostrate and asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life, to take control. That's when everything changed and I devoted my life to serving Him. 

A few years later, after two years serving as the interim worship minister in a different Baptist church, I was in a huge time of transition. The Lord clearly called me to help a church in a neighboring town launch a new contemporary worship service. I heard Him say, "take good notes." That was my call to interim worship ministry. 

I love school - being on either side of the desk! After graduating from Centralia High School, I got my associate degree from the local community college. It was fun because I even had my school paid for on a basketball scholarship. Then it was on to university. I graduated with a bachelor of science degree in English and earned a secondary teaching certificate from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Several years later, after helping that first church launch their new contemporary worship service, I followed the Lord's call to seminary. Midwestern Baptist Seminary in Kansas City was just launching a new Master of Divinity degree with a specialization in Worship Leadership. I was honored to be the president of my graduating class, among the first to graduate with the new degree.

Through the years I've been honored to do lots of various types of ministry. It started with a seven and a half year run in Christian radio. Then it was on to interim worship and evangelism/outreach ministry for more than a decade. I also spent several years teaching GED and literacy classes as well as English as a Second Language. The year after seminary the Lord got my attention in dramatic fashion, calling me to serve those in need. That turned into serving one year at a food pantry and clothes closet. After that I had an experience that changed my life forever. I went out with a mobile ministry serving folks living on the street. On that cold winter night we huddled and prayed for some guys. Then one of them prayed for us. . . That was when God grabbed my heart for our friends without an address. I spent the next eight years of my life selling some of my belongings, intentionally moving into a shelter, launching and leading a a new ministry in Champaign, Illinois, called C-U at Home. 

In 2005, the Lord called me to Colorado Springs. But it took 12 years for Him to allow me to move here. In September of 2017, I sold my car and moved to Colorado Springs with my motorcycle in the back of the moving truck and a week's reservation at an extended-stay hotel. No job and no place to live. The Lord specifically called me to "not work" and to "not look for work." That turned into the most challenging season of my life. Almost 5 years later, the Lord clearly opened the door for me to become the assistant to the president for ServeNow. I get to do all kinds of things including launching our discipleship books in different countries, helping Ben edit and publish a new book every year, as well as scheduling his meeting appointment. I've been doing all kinds of admin, technology, editing, and publishing projects through Jackson Professional Services since 2018 and still do this part-time. At the end of 2020 I had the privilege to join the water purification team at Eden Park Foundation and so far I've been able to take two trips with them - one to India and one to Kenya. 

If you saw my photo on the homepage, you already know that I love motorcycles, tie-dyes, and ice cream. In fact, I lead a motorcycle ministry called Sunday Scooters where we ride together a couple of Sunday afternoons a month. We pray for folks, connect with the Lord, ride through the hills, and always have some ice cream. :-) For exercise, I have been a regular lap swimmer now for more than 20 years. Most weeks, I swim a mile (36 laps, mixing my swim strokes) three times per week. Music, specifically Christian and worship music is the soundtrack for my life. From the time I worked in Christian radio through the years I served as a worship leader, until today, you will find multiple radios on in my home all set to worship music. It helps me keep my attitude right and my focus on the Lord throughout the day and evening. A couple other things that make me happy - white chocolate, a good steak, and turkey. I LOVE turkey, mashed taters, and giblet gravy. It's actually my favorite meal!