It was the summer of 2001, right after I graduated from high school. I was sitting at a church camp, listening to the speaker, when I felt God's calling. I knew then that working with youth was what I was meant to do, I just wasn't sure what capacity that would be in. My initial thought was youth ministry, however the Lord had other ideas.

Instead of working in a church, I would spend the next 13 years working as a Para Educator and PE teacher in the public school system. I spent a year in Valley Center, two years in Rose Hill, and the last 10 years in Wichita Public Schools. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to build relationships with thousands of students and fellow teachers. At the end of the 2024 school year, I shut down my gym and cleaned out my office for the last time, and took over as the full time youth pastor at Hope on May 19. Watching students grow in their walk with God is so exciting to me, and I can't wait to see the new places the Lord is going to take these middle schoolers!

I've been married to my wife Taylor since 2006. We have three boys, Ashton, Kellen, and Brady. All three boys play soccer, so most days you can find us at the soccer fields.

Also, I love to sing -- just not in front of people!