A look at the past: For over a decade I've had the privilege to serve the church in student ministry in OK, KY, AR, and NM.  Jenny and I believe God has called us to work with next the generation and their families - mobilizing any army of biblical, compassionate, passionate followers of Christ. I'm thankful that God allows us to be useful with this generation because it is so exciting to see Him work in them, their families, and the volunteers that make student ministry happen. We're thankful God has brought us now to lead student ministry with our church family here at First Baptist Bloomfield.

My bachelor's degree is from Oklahoma Baptist University, and my master's is from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

A look at the future: As I try to look at the future in our country and culture, I believe that biblical Christianity will become less accepted before it becomes otherwise. I'm not a doomsdayer, I just think it is a fact. However, when it gets darker, the light from a fire shines brighter. Jesus said that his followers are the light of the world (Matthew 5.14-16) and that we are to let our light so shine that when people see our good works they'll realize that this kind of love and truth can only come from Christ in us!

This is an exciting time to be alive and involved in student ministry.

Students want a purpose and mission in life, and through Scripture they can see the mission they were made for--to treasure Jesus Christ and to make him treasured in every place on this planet (Colossians 1.16).

Students are looking for authenticity. They hate fake. I'm thankful to serve here at First Baptist because it is a place where many people are authentically seeking to follow Christ. Students and families have an opportunity to be around people who are not presenting themselves as perfect, but presenting Jesus as perfect and worth every ounce of our lives.

I want to help students here at First Baptist become Christ-followers who are:

• BIBLICAL: Developing a basic understanding of what they believe and why as based on the Bible.
• COMPASSIONATE: Relating to others in friendships that are healthy and helpful.
• PASSIONATE: Finding the joy in serving people and sharing the gospel.

Little known fact: I took a "victory lap" (flunked) 1st grade, and I have personal space issues.

Advice: If you just moved to NM, "Red or green?" has nothing to do with stop lights. (We didn't know when we first moved here.)

Favorites:

• Bible Verse - Matthew 6.33
• Book - Let the Nations Be Glad, by John Piper
• Interests - woodworking, golf, reading, movies, driving anything (but especially motorcycles), Iceland
• Quote - "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him." (Piper) "We have a God who is a Creator, not a duplicator" (Chan)
• Board Game - Imagine If, Catch Phrase (no board involved), Spades (I know, no board)
• Food/Restaurant - Wow! This is hard because I really like food. I love steak, fried chicken, pork chops, Asian, Italian, Mexican, BBQ, vegetables lathered in other things (i.e. butter and sauces), fresh fruit (especially pineapple), etc. Fast food: Chick-fil-a and Pop-Eye's. Sit Down: Outback and Chili's...Like I said, I really like food.
• Cartoon Character - Maybe Woody from Toy Story?
• Actor - Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Matt Damon
• Movie - Braveheart, Borne Trilogy, Gladiator, Patriot, Open Range, Napoleon Dynamite, Dan in Real Life, Fun with Dick and Jane
• Sports Team - Oklahoma Sooners