Background

Conversion

I was raised in the Catholic faith and attended church regularly as a child. However, by the time I met my wife, I had drifted away from consistent church attendance. I believed I had done everything required of me by checking all the religious boxes, living what I thought was a good life, and assuming I was right with God.

Shortly after my wife and I got married, we felt a desire to return to church. She had grown up attending Bell Shoals Baptist Church and didn’t feel comfortable in a Catholic setting. As a result, we began attending Bell Shoals Baptist Church together on a regular basis. While there, I started hearing the truth of God's Word in a way I hadn’t before. Yet, I still believed that my own goodness was enough to earn my way to heaven.

One day, the children’s minister asked me why I believed I would go to heaven. I confidently explained that I had always tried to be a good person and do the right thing. In response, she lovingly shared the gospel with me. She explained that, as a sinner, I was completely incapable of earning salvation on my own. Jesus had died on the cross to pay for my sins and rose again three days later, victorious over sin and death. In that moment, the gospel became clear to me for the first time—it was personal. We prayed together, and I confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

Before knowing Christ, I was unaware of the depth of my sin and had very little understanding of grace. But from that day forward, I have been a follower of Jesus Christ, forever grateful for His sacrifice. Each day, I strive to live in a way that glorifies God, thankful for the grace He has given me through Jesus. 

Calling

Before beginning seminary in 2018, I sensed the Lord changing my heart and calling me toward ministry. Through prayer, I felt drawn either to missions or a pastoral role. Knowing that formal education would be valuable for either path, I pursued seminary training while continuing in my career.

At that time, my work in the truck dealership industry was both successful and rewarding, with strong prospects for a long and stable career. However, after a few years of seminary and gaining valuable experience in lay leadership, I felt the Lord calling me into full-time ministry sooner rather than later. After much prayer and seeking direction, I accepted a role with Amazima Ministries in 2021. God made it clear that it was time for me to step out in faith, and as a result, we moved to Uganda.

While serving in Uganda, the Lord refined my calling, deepening my passion for shepherding and leadership within the American church context. This experience ultimately led me to my first pastoral role as Executive Pastor at Grace Community Church. In this position, my calling has been fully affirmed—I am called to support a Lead or Senior Pastor in a role that allows me to thrive in administration and leadership, ensuring he can devote his focus to preaching, teaching, and casting vision for the church.