I was raised
in a Christian home with a great family, but I had never really made a personal
commitment to Christ as Lord. I understood basic ideas of sin and salvation,
but I didn’t understand the personal relationship and the lordship that Jesus
could have in my life. I grew up with a lot of fear and worry about who I was
and what I could actually accomplish in life. I attended a conference called
Rock the Nations in my junior year of high school once I was in Michigan. The
conference took place in Colorado Springs and at that conference I began to
hear God’s voice for the first time and was convicted of sin that had chained me up and some I never even
realized was in my heart. That began a journey for me of stepping into God’s
calling on my life and finding greater freedom from sin and fear. I moved to
Colorado in 2001 and after a few years in youth ministry, I met and married my
incredible wife, Catherine in August of 2007. We’re about to celebrate two
years of marriage and who I am in Christ has never been more clear to me than
in the context of my relationship with her. We have served in youth ministry
together and are excited to step out into the Race. It’s a completely
unfamiliar type of experience for us but one we’re looking forward to with
anticipation.
Catherine
I grew up in a Christian familyand I came to faith at a bible camp when I was 6 years old. Church life was all we knew in our family life. My parents served in the church in whatever
capacity they were needed, so we learned as a family a lot about working hard
and serving. We talked a lot about God but lived with many family struggles
that kept us from fully entering into His freedom. When I was a freshman, I
experienced a new awakening with God where I truly felt like He was the only
one I could draw close to. After years of struggle and disappointment, God began
to open up my eyes to my identity in Him as His pure daughter. I’ve always had
a passion for singing and worship, so after graduating high school I completed
a worship internship at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. In October of 2005
I met the man who would become my husband at a small group for college and
20-somethings. We began leading worship together for the group and taking teens
on missions trips with his youth group. Ministry can be a breeding ground for
romance! We got married in 2007 and though we’ve loved working with teens, we
can’t wait to see what God has in store for us on the Race.
