Responsibilities
As the Pastor for Preaching and Vision for Genesis, I am responsible for the direction and teaching of the church, as well as developing leaders and caring for the members of the church.
Family
I am married to my beautiful wife Heidi. Heidi grew up on a farm in Illinois. We met at Missouri Baptist University, and I got my first kiss by winning a bet with a magic trick. We have five fantastic children and two more who have joined our family by marriage, my son Andy and his wife Kelsey, my daughter Alex and her husband Cam, my son Josiah, and our twin girls, Mary and Grace. We are also blessed to be grandparents of Millie, daughter of Andy and Kelsey.
Education
B.A. in Theology – Missouri Baptist College, 1988
Masters of Divinity – Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 1999
Doctorate of Ministry – Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2011
What Genesis Means To You
In 2004, God began speaking to my wife and I about the possibility of planting a new church in Eureka, one that would primarily reach out to those not attending church. Since then, we have been part of an incredible adventure, filled with challenges and victories. God has given us a fantastic group of people to invest our lives with, and has shown Himself more than amazing all the way.
Quote
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot
Favorite Reads
- Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- Knowing God by J. I. Packer
- Desiring God by John Piper
- The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
- The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis
- Note to Self by Joe Thorn
- Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
- The Secular Creed by Rebecca McLaughlin
- The Mission of God by Christopher J. H. Wright
Favorite Movies
OK, so I love to laugh, and enjoy the goofy old Bill Murray and Chevy Chase movies like Ghostbusters, The Three Amigos, Christmas Vacation, and Fletch.
What You Enjoy
Anything with my wife and kids, Waterfowl hunting, Cardinal baseball
Where You Grew Up and What You Did As A Kid
I am a St. Louis guy, through and through. Born and raised here. Lifelong Cardinals, Blues, and Mizzou fan. I love my city. The answer to the St. Louis question (Where did you go to high school?) is Brentwood, class of 1984. My dad was a high school coach, and I spent most of my life playing sports. Basketball and baseball were my favs, and they paid my way through college.
Hope For Genesis
The dream is to be a church that lives out the implications of the Gospel. I believe some people are turned off to church because they experienced religion and not a relationship with their Creator who loves them and sent His Son for them. I want to be a church full of people that have encountered the transforming power of the Gospel in such a way that it is contagious, and a place where those who have not met Jesus yet will find Genesis to be a safe, comfortable place to explore faith and wrestle with issues.