I was born and raised in a Christian home. I went to church as a baby boy, and went through the intensive yet rewarding program known as AWANA. I eventually learned more about Christ, the gospel, and the power of reading the Bible as I joined my church’s Youth Group. It was there that I slowly but surely made my faith my own - not my parent’s faith in God, my friends’ faith in God, or my church’s faith in God, but, to personalize my faith in God in order to start a lifelong relationship with Him. 

It is always a great joy to be able to connect with young students on a theological, recreational, and cultural level. Much of my Christian faith and growth happened when I was a youth. Having gone through it myself, I think the youth and students are in a season of their lives where they are surrounded and pressured by many influences. Because of this, I have a passion to walk alongside them and to encourage them as they grow in their faith in God. I hope to equip and empower the students by reminding them that they can be used by God to make an impact in their schools, homes, and circles of friends. After all, many of the early Christians were in fact quite young as they changed the world for God’s kingdom! The lyrics from the song “Hosanna” come to mind when I think about the overarching purpose of Youth Ministry: “I see a generation rising up to take their place, with selfless faith, with selfless faith.”