Born Polish, Raised Irish
My story starts in 1986 at Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Indiana where I was born. I don’t think my proud parents knew what they were getting themselves into. All I really have to say about my early childhood is I’m glad the 80’s are over because the clothes my parents made me wear and the huge eye glasses during that time just shouldn’t be celebrated. As we segue into my teenage years its important to note the importance of living in South Bend and Notre Dame football. Raised in a home within walking distance to Notre Dame Stadium, the Fighting Irish hold a special place in my heart.
Jonah Without the Big Fish
Whenever I read the Book of Jonah I imagine Jonah was a teenager when God came calling. It just makes sense. As a teenager I was so reckless with my faith. I remember negotiating my boss into scheduling my work hours on Sundays so I had an excuse not to sit through boring worship services. I was on the run, chasing after the things of the world and getting farther and farther away from God. Like Jonah and Martin Luther, sometimes it takes a storm to shake up your core being and accept the calling God has in store for you. Jonah had rough sea conditions, I had rough road conditions that led to a pretty gnarly accident. Jonah had a big fish bring him back. Unfortunately I don’t have anything comparable to a big fish but with the help of a very loving family that accepted my brokenness, I was led to discover a living God with enough grace, mercy and love for you and for me. The cross that broke Jesus Christ is now sufficient for my brokenness. The blood that poured out of Jesus paid the penalty for my shortcomings. The resurrection of Christ overcame death in which I no longer fear. I couldn’t possibly encounter God and walk away the same person.
Hoosiers, Wildcats & Beyond
Although my heart will always reside with Notre Dame when it came down to picking a college to attend it was always Indiana University. The summer before I was introduced to Ramen Noodles and the college life, God had rocked my world. After my freshmen year at IU it was off to Indiana Wesleyan University to complete my ministry degree. In 2008 I graduated and became Youth Director at a church out in the country of North Carolina. Never have I learned so much about myself and God than the two years I’ve spent ministering to youth. A calling to ministry is never easy and Jesus never promised it would be. The call to love your neighbor, be the peacemaker, turn the other cheek, take up your cross, surrender everything, follow relentlessly, humble yourself constantly, pray continuously, die to yourself so that Christ may live in you is not for the faint of heart. It is my hope that you personally know the Creator of the universe as I do. May you live your one and only life the way the Holy One created you to live it. May you take the plunge into faith and risk an unknown future going fall speed into the arms of God.
