Hometown: Dinwiddie, Virginia
Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech), Blacksburg, VA | Currently Pursuing Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO
My Mission: To demonstrate through my words, actions, and lifestyle the joy of being a disciple of Jesus. I aim to encourage and challenge people, especially youth, to follow Jesus Christ.
My Vision:
When I was younger I hated when people said, “Do what I say and not what I do.” But as I have grown I have learned why people say things like this. It is extremely hard to do the right things. It is hard to show love without selfishness, to be kind and compassionate, to stand for justice and still forgive people who hurt you. It is much easier to say the right thing than to do it. That is why I am so thankful for Jesus Christ.
In Jesus, God demonstrated that He does not sit safely in heaven and say, “Be better!” But as it says in Philippians 2:5-8, He emptied Himself and became a man. A man who lived perfectly and then laid down His life for us. A man who did not merely say, “Do this!” but instead He said, “Follow me.” And that is my goal. I desire to follow Christ. And I desire to call people to follow Christ with me.
I want to walk with the students in this church as we follow Christ. Using whatever means are prudent, be it through personal conversations, small groups, or expository Bible teaching I want to encourage and challenge my brothers and sisters to follow Christ with me. I also want to reach out with them to their neighbors. For I believe that true disciples make disciples. I know that as our students walk as those set apart by God this will be a witness to the world around them. It will be an invitation to follow Him with us.
My Life Verse:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:5-8