I came to believe wholeheartedly in God as a young age. I was baptized and confirmed at a Lutheran church near Austin, TX where I grew up. I always took my faith seriously knowing that God can and does choose to interact in the world today because of His love for us. I can still remember asking God, "Do you love me?" as a child and He literally answered with lightning from the sky in a way I could clearly understand. 

Years later, my trajectory in God was dramatically changed upon He worked a miracle in my life of removing a stony heart and replacing it with a heart for righteousness all in an instant. One moment I was one way, the next I was changed. One of my first thoughts was that "I need more church!" That is when I began attending the Vineyard Church of Central Illinois now led by Mike and Julie Yoder. My gratitude also belongs to Happy and Dianne Leman for their faithful founding and stewardship of the church years ago, and for their authentic relationship and influence in my life. 

I have had the distinct pleasure of being loved, trained up, and sent to serve within the Vineyard community. For two years I was plunged into a new-to-me world of seeking after God's presence in worship following the ministry of Tim Brasic and then Shannon and Jacob Comfort. For four years I was a leader in the Alive college ministry family that was created under the leadership of Ryan Otto. Finally, I was commissioned to grow our community and multiply leaders side by side with Clay Harrington as he took the mantle over that ministry. For six years, I ministered and was ministered to through genuine fellowship, leading small groups, giving announcements, opportunities to preach, organize retreats, navigating difficult situations, and all the other things that come with being a leader in a thriving college ministry. 

Through this time, I became a graduate of the School of Kingdom Ministry (SoKM) run by Putty Putman. SoKM taught me that my actions are more indicative of my true beliefs and worldview than the things that I say. I learned that Got loves not only to heal physical pain in our bodies, but also to heal emotional and spiritual wounds. Putty grew in me the capacity to minister to others in compassion and with the authority of an adopted son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives in my heart.