Ministry ETHOS
As I embrace my call, I am doing my best to follow the mission that Jesus left to His church - to guide people deeper in relationship with God, community with one another, and influence in the world. Here are some unique cultural underpinnings behind the story I am trying to embody:
There is room at the table
Faith should be beautiful and compelling to outsiders. Church should be a welcoming and safe place for all, somewhere you are proud to bring your friends and neighbors.
Discipleship is a journey
Everyone has a next step in their spiritual journey. Church should meet people where they are and help them find their way toward Jesus.
Jesus wants to redeem everything
I believe God invites us to imagine a future where everything that is broken is made beautiful and everything corrupted is made whole. The church should be passionate about partnering with God to restore people and places.
Community is essential
People grow better together as they participate in community. The church should be passionate about moving people from rows into circles.
grace is messy but beautiful
There is no need to pretend, because there is no such thing as a perfect person. The Gospel is good news for all as Jesus invites us to become who we are in His sight.
conversation brings clarity
Theology happens best in a posture of humility and wonder. Church should be a place for questions, discovery, and dialogue not just boundaries and conclusions.
Teaching examples
Rooted was a series about seeking deep transformation by examining the our core beliefs and theological roots.
Kindergarten Brown was a series about the mess we make of our lives when we lack focus. This message is about re-focusing our spirituality.
One of the most beautiful directives in scripture is the invitation to place our anxieties on God because He cares for us.
In this series we explored the stories behind some of David's psalms, diving in to the situation that inspired his worship.
This was a series about redeeming work and finding God in the 9-5. Every moment of your life matters to God and God matters to every moment.
The little town of Bethlehem sits at the crossroad between heaven and earth. Explore 4 very important journeys to this little town.
our family
JUSTIN:
Justin enjoys hunting, camping, and anything that gets him outside and into the woods. He is an avid reader. He is a lover of coffee, movies, and wheel thrown pottery. Justin is a long-suffering fan of Detroit Lions Football. He tells big stories, loves loudly, and laughs often.
JAMIE:
Jamie is an accomplished nurse and clinical mentor. She inspires the people around her with hope and joy. She loves quality time with her family and friends. She loves exploring new places and cities. Her passion is to help people discover their gifts and unleash their potential. She encourages and connects people beautifully.
ARABELLA:
Arabella is in 3rd Grade and is an expert in the world of Pokemon. She is dramatic and expressive. She has never met a stranger and is always working on some big project.
PAIGE:
Paige is in 1st Grade and loves taking care of others. She is empathetic, creative, and artistic. She is especially drawn to younger children and babies. She has a great sense of humor and quick wit.
DIETRICH:
Dietrich Valor is our preschooler. His favorite activities include punching, smashing, jumping, and headbutts. He is full of energy and contagious giggles. DIetrich can often be found wearing one of his many hats, and if you're lucky, he will tip his cap in his custormary greeting: "Good Day, Sir." He is famous for his deep voice and sense of humor.
“Our family creed is simple but it guides everything we do: we are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.”
Creative
I am passionate about creative and artistic expressions of faith. I am committed to artistry as a way to communicate the beauty of Jesus in our culture. Here are a few projects I loved working on, including devotional curriculum, multi-sensory prayer experiences, and video.