I started professional ministry in 1992 and joined the staff of OCC in 2006 as the Executive Pastor. Before I tell you about myself let me answer a question I am often asked. What does an Executive Pastor (XP) do? Some say the XP is in charge of executions. Some days it feels like I’m in charge of taking care of problems. In reality my role is to give leadership to the staff, finances, facilities and ministries of OCC. I work a little with everything. I enjoy the balance of people, numbers and planning.
I spent my formative years in small town about 30 miles from
Portland ,
Oregon called Battle Ground, Washington. Met and married my wife Lisa through the ministry of Brush Prairie Baptist in
Vancouver ,
Washington . I served five years as Associate Pastor at BPBC after college (Pacific Lutheran), during and after seminary (Western). Before coming to OCC I served nine-years at Grace Community, a mega-church in Auburn, WA.
Lisa is an RN and I have two wonderful children Andrew and Anna.
On my time off I enjoy golfing and watching the Cougs. I take both more seriously than I should. If I'm a little grumpy it may be that I didn't break 80 or that the Cougs lost a close game. Give me a little extra grace and I will try to reciprocate.
If I'm not reading Golf Digest or about the Cougs I'm likely reading about leadership, the church or developing the Christian faith in my life. Some of my favorite reads are:
-
"The Pursuit of Holiness" by Jerry Bridges. I read this the first time in a discipleship group in high school. It was a great kick start to seeing my sin from God’s eyes and taking my spiritual life seriously.
- "How People Grow" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend This is a must read for all small group leaders or people trying to find God’s grace and spiritual growth.
- Anything from Bill Hybels, Andy Stanley, John Ortberg, Erwin McManus or Mark Driscoll.
