Early On
I was born in Nevada to my parents, both U.S. Sailors, and spent my early childhood in Michigan. We moved near Asheville, North Carolina, where my family began attending Biltmore Baptist Church. I came forward during a Sunday evening service, dedicating my life to Christ, and was baptized shortly after at the age of 8. My parents, three younger sisters, and myself were very involved within the church throughout my childhood. At the age of 17, I joined the Marine Corps and began my eight-year career within the infantry. My attendance in church was sporadic and my life was not centered on Christ during this time. Though I would have identified myself as a Christian and would even at times witness about or defend Christ, I was living my life in a way that did not honor Him. During my time of service, I married my beautiful wife Kirstien and became a father to my two girls, Kymber and Eyda.
Turning to the Lord
During this time, I defined myself by my career and accomplishments. I had a good family, close friends, and security; I was comfortable. God began to call me back to Him. We began attending Coastline Baptist Church in Oceanside, California. Shortly thereafter, my wife came to Christ. There was an event at work that revealed to me that even after years of perfecting my trade, I was still human, and my pride took a huge blow. My wife had a traumatic health experience which required a risky surgery and months of rehabilitation. The lewd conduct of a coworker, a person I spent much of my time with, revealed just how accustomed I had become with the sin in my life. These pains drove me back to the cross and to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Entering Ministry
This shift in repentance was coupled with lifestyle changes. Our family moved to Phenix City, Alabama where we became members of Lakewood Baptist Church (LBC). At this point in life I began to feel drawn to the church, wanting to serve and grow in our involvement. In response to a ministerial call, and with encouragement from others, I closed my construction company and took on the position of janitor at LBC, eventually becoming the Building and Grounds Manager. At this time I was ordained as a deacon and licensed as a minister. I remained at LBC until I was called as a Student Minister to Gentian Baptist Church (GBC), where we have been for the last 5 years. I was ordained at GBC and currently serve as the Family Pastor and Missions Pastor. During our time at GBC, our family’s heart for missions greatly increased. We love to serve with one another and to lead others to do the same. As I have matured theologically, and gained ministerial experience, I have come to appreciate that church planting is the crux of missionary work.
Church Planting
The Lord’s call on our family to Wyoming was galvanized through circumstance, counsel and prayer. We were greeted with tearful affirmations when we shared this news with our family and church members. The Lord began to further impress on our hearts the town of Byron. Byron is a town of 500 on the west side of the Big Horn Mountains that was settled in 1898. Byron has never had a Christian church, though there is another movement that has held the town since its inception. We are convinced that there are many in Byron, and in the surrounding area filled with 14,000 people, that belong to the Lord. Our prayer is to begin a church where many will be discipled and enabled to do the same. Currently, our family is endorsed by NAMB, being sent by GBC, and partnered with multiple churches and associations. We plan to move in the Spring of 2026 and are seeking more partners to join in reaching Byron.
