As I prepare for The Village Christian Church’s new Shorewood Campus launch in the fall, I can’t help but marvel at the journey that’s brought me here. My path from corporate America to full-time ministry has been a testament to God’s perfect timing and provision. It’s a story of transformation, faith, and the power of following God’s call. Even when it leads you down unexpected paths.
A Life of Service
My journey of service began long before I entered the ministry. At 17, I left my hometown of Tampa, Florida, to join the Air Force. For eight years, I served as an air transportation specialist. This role took me from the Philippines to Nebraska and many places in between. Those years instilled in me a deep sense of duty and the importance of working as part of a team toward a greater goal. Little did I know then how God would use this experience to prepare me for His service. The Bible tells us,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28, NIV.
After leaving the Air Force, I dove into the civilian world, starting in the airline industry. Beginning as a baggage handler, I worked my way up to Regional Vice President. Within five years, I oversaw 84 aviation accounts across the central United States. This rapid ascent taught me valuable lessons in leadership, perseverance, and the power of hard work.
My career then took me through various industries – from manufacturing and distribution to retail distribution. For the last 13 years of my corporate career, I was serving as a General Manager for a big name, corporate supply chain distribution center. This role proved to be, not just the pinnacle of my corporate journey, but also a crucial steppingstone towards my future in ministry.
The Stirring of a New Calling
Despite the success and satisfaction, I found in my business roles, there was always a sense that something was missing. I’ve been a person of faith throughout my life, but it wasn’t until recent years that I began to feel a strong pull toward full-time ministry. This calling, however, didn’t come as a sudden epiphany. Rather, it was a gradual realization shaped by a series of life experiences and divine interventions.
As I reflect on this period of my life, I’m reminded of the words of Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God was quietly preparing me for a significant change, even when I couldn’t see it.
A pivotal moment in my journey came about 11 years ago when my company asked my wife and I to transfer from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Salem, Oregon. I was less than thrilled about the idea of moving to the Northwest. We had no family, no friends, no connections, no roots in Salem. However, this move, which initially seemed challenging, became a crucial step in God’s plan for our lives.
During our short couple of years in Salem, my wife, who was a new believer at the time, joined a ladies’ LifeGroup. Through this group, she experienced tremendous growth in her faith and knowledge of God’s word. This period was transformative for both of us, as we watched God work in our lives in unexpected ways.
Financial Peace and God’s Provision
One of the most significant experiences during our time in Salem was our participation in Financial Peace University (FPU). At the time, I thought I was making all the right financial moves. I had a good job, made great money, and had investments. However, as we went through the class, I realized I was making some poor financial decisions. One verse that stood out to me was Proverbs 22:7 “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” The idea of being a slave to anyone, much less a lender, didn’t appeal to me.
Inspired by Dave Ramsey’s teachings, my wife and I attacked our debt with “Gazelle Intensity”. We paid off both our cars, all of our credit cards, and a personal loan – everything except our house. I found such peace in this and would later discover this was a crucial step in preparing us for the leap of faith we would take down the road. Looking back, I can see how God was preparing us even then for the transition to full-time ministry. Without this financial freedom, the move from corporate America to ministry would have been much more challenging, if not impossible.
The Path to Ministry
After two years in Salem, we were transferred back to Ohio. During our time there, we had the opportunity to help a pastor friend start a new church in Hebron, Kentucky. My wife and I provided leadership to the teams there for about six months, helping them get up and running. This experience gave us a taste of what it was like to be involved in church planting and leadership.
We also became LifeGroup leaders at our local church in Ohio. Our group grew from about eight people to 22, and it was beautifully diverse – young and old, married and single, people from all ethnicities. This experience taught me the joy of shepherding a small community and watching people grow in their faith.
During this time of searching and growth, I found myself increasingly drawn to Jesus’ words in Luke 9:23-24: “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.'” These words challenged me to consider what it truly meant to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
The Call Becomes Clear
After 2.5 years in Ohio, we were transferred again to the supply chain distribution center in Joliet, Illinois. Little did we know that this move would lead us to where God ultimately wanted us to be.
Within the first few months of arriving in Joliet, we found The Village Christian Church. After trying about eight different churches, we knew immediately that this was home. The warm welcome and inviting atmosphere drew us in, and we quickly got involved in a LifeGroup.
It was in this LifeGroup that we went through a series called “Not a Fan” by Pastor Kyle Idleman. For the first time, I found myself seriously considering what it would be like to leave corporate America and go into full-time ministry. The questions raised in this study resonated deeply with me, challenging me to examine my faith and my calling.
Shortly after, our executive pastor approached me and asked if I’d consider going into full-time ministry. When I expressed interest, she offered me an internship position on staff, helping with the connections team, LifeGroups, and getting new visitors connected to the church community. For six months, I worked 50 hours a week in corporate America and another 10 hours at The Village Christian Church.
The Decision to Answer the Call
The turning point came when our lead pastor and our executive pastor came to our house to talk to my wife and me about the possibility of leaving corporate life for full-time ministry. As I wrestled with this decision, Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:24-25 kept coming back to me: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.'”
I realized that if I truly wanted to follow Jesus, I needed to be willing to lay down my earthly desires. Give up the things that made me feel safe and secure – my comfortable corporate job, financial security, and worldly success – and follow Him completely. This wasn’t an easy decision, and I don’t share this in a boastful way. Rather, I had reached a point in my life where I realized that I had been serving myself for most of my life rather than truly serving God.
Once I made the decision, I didn’t want to be halfhearted about it. The words in Revelation 3:16 resonated with me: “So because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” I didn’t want to be lukewarm in my commitment to Christ. I wanted to be all in, fully committed, and on fire for Jesus.
It became clear when I got to the point where I was willing to give up houses, cars, vacation trips, and job security, so that I could wholeheartedly chase after Jesus. I wanted to serve Him, and work to advance His kingdom. This decision reminded me of the parable of the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:45-46: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” I had found my pearl of great price in serving Christ full-time, and I was ready to give up everything else for it.
God’s Faithfulness in the Transition
The transition wasn’t without its challenges. We needed to sell our house and downsize to a more affordable home on a pastor’s salary. But God’s provision became evident immediately. As soon as we put our house on the market, we received several offers within days, including two full cash price offers. Our next concern was finding a new house quickly enough. Once again, God provided. We found another house in the local area that we could afford on my new income.
Since that time, God has provided for every need we’ve had. There have been many occasions when my wife and I have praised Him because He has met our needs before we even realized we had them. Throughout this transition, we witnessed God’s faithfulness firsthand, reminding us of His promise in Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Looking Forward to Shorewood
Now, as I stand on the brink of launching the Shorewood campus of The Village Christian Church, I’m filled with excitement and gratitude. This opportunity is an answer to many months of prayer. My wife and I have been praying for this community for a long time, asking God if there was an opportunity for The Village in Shorewood.
We are looking forward to serving the Shorewood community, to helping people come into a transformative relationship with Jesus Christ. Our vision for this campus is to create a welcoming, vibrant community where people can encounter God’s love, grow in their faith, and find support and fellowship. I want it to be a place where lives are transformed. Where broken people find healing, and where we can collectively make a positive impact on the Shorewood community and beyond.
Lessons Learned
This journey has taught me several valuable lessons:
- Trust in God’s timing: “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day” (2 Peter 3:8). Sometimes, the dreams we have may take years to materialize, but God’s timing is always perfect.
- Use your experiences: Sometimes we think we need to have a particular set of skills to fill a role in the church, but it’s important to understand that God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called. Every part of your journey can be used for God’s purpose. My military and corporate background has uniquely equipped me for this new role in ministry, in ways I never could have anticipated. God can use your unique experiences, whatever they may be, to further His kingdom. As it says in 1 Corinthians 1:27, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.”
- Persist in prayer: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Even when answers don’t come immediately or in the way we expect, persistent prayer is powerful.
- Love your community: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). Developing a genuine love for the people you serve is crucial in ministry.
- Trust in God’s provision: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). When we step out in faith, God provides.
Last But Not Least
As we prepare to launch the Shorewood campus of The Village Christian Church, I’m reminded of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” This is our calling, and I’m honored to play a part in fulfilling it in our community.
Corporate America taught me how to build efficient systems and manage resources. Now, I’m thrilled to use those skills to help build God’s kingdom, one life at a time. From corporate America to kingdom building – it’s been quite a journey, and the best is yet to come.
Join us on November 3rd as we open our doors and our hearts to the Shorewood community. Let’s embark on this new adventure together. Seeking to know Christ and make Him known in our community and beyond. Whether you’re a long-time believer, someone curious about faith, or anywhere in between, you have a place here. We can’t wait to meet you and walk alongside you in your journey of faith.
