A seed was planted on a routine drive to hockey practice when I was thirteen. By God’s grace, that seed
would eventually flourish, and over the past thirty plus years, He has invited me to serve His kingdom in
amazing ways!
I was not raised in church but was raised by loving parents and had a happy childhood. I discovered that
I was pretty good at playing hockey so that’s what I did – often. God hadn’t even crossed my mind, and
even if He had, I wouldn’t have had time for Him. My commitments, identity, and passion were all hockey,
all the time. Even during that routine drive when my sister shared the Gospel, I didn’t pay much attention,
but soon after, everything changed.
After achieving success, I tried out for more competitive team. I didn’t make the cut, and for the first time,
my identity and life were shaken. I ended up playing for a school-based team the following season, which
didn’t travel nor play on Sundays. My sister evangelized my entire family, and we began going to church.
Because I wasn’t in a hockey rink on Sunday mornings, the seed was watered, and I was born again
when I was fourteen years old.
Over the years, God has blessed me with a beautiful, Godly wife and five amazing kids. He has been
faithful to provide for our family through a variety of entrepreneurial ventures, and He’s opened the door
for me to be the Chaplain for the Western Michigan University Men’s hockey team, where I’ve served
since 2010.
My wife and I began attending Calvary Chapel of Kalamazoo Valley in 2001. The verse-by-verse
teaching and sound Biblical doctrine, by which the church operates, have been influential for my own
faith and that of my family. So far, three of our five kids have attended Calvary Chapel Bible College and
as our kids transition into adulthood, we’re excited for the next chapter. Now, serving as an Elder, I lead a
weekly Home Fellowship, teach in a variety of settings, and help oversee ministry within the body.
Psalm 115:1 says, “Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your
mercy, Because of Your truth.” I praise God for choosing me, an ordinary guy, to help do His work. May
He receive all the glory for whatever fruit that seed produces!