When did Jesus change your life?

Hard to pick a single point of change. In part because I’ve grown up in the church and walked with Jesus since my earliest memories. But also because despite all that, he has crushed many idols and thrown blinding light on some of the blind spots I developed growing up as a church kid. Eldership at Mars Hill Church has been extremely sanctifying, often painfully.

How has your life changed since meeting Jesus?

The most prominent theme has been learning that religion’s power cannot save: it binds and blinds. Only Jesus can free and give sight. I have been delivered from the bondage and darkness of habitual sin that religion helped create. Jesus restored my life when religion left me for dead.

How long have you been a member of Mars Hill?

Since Spring 2000, before there was a Sunday morning service. We began attending when Pastor Mark was preaching through Exodus at the 5pm service at First Pres. downtown.

When were you called to serve Jesus at Mars Hill?

Over the course of years from early 2001 to late 2003. It was one of those painfully sanctifying processes. It began with the legendary men’s meeting at the Paradox on the Ave in Feb 2001 (the meeting with the rocks, for those who’ll remember).

What ministry are you currently serving in?

I lead the Biblical Living ministry at the Ballard campus, which includes Redemption Groups, Counseling, and Marriage. My primary direct contribution is the development of our Redemption Groups including writing the book we use. Redemption Groups are intense small groups that dig deep into difficult and seldom-discussed areas of life, such as abuse, addiction, and trials of all sorts.

What is your biggest challenge in this ministry?

Packing in all the training for our volunteer leaders to equip them with a solid biblical foundation and loving skill for counseling. They are an eager and gifted bunch! Yet there’s only so much time in one week! Thankfully this challenge is a direct result of God’s blessing; he’s given us a great crew and amazing opportunities to take the Gospel into a lot of very dark places.

What is your greatest joy while serving in this ministry?

Seeing our leaders grow in knowledge and confidence in the Gospel to help people in the midst of the messiest situations.

What are you looking forward to seeing God do in this ministry?

Equip the entire body of Mars Hill Church to engage each other in the most difficult issues of life in the context of the most normal rhythms of life in community. Also to be a resource for many other churches who share our passion to see Gospel-based healing and change in the areas of abuse and addiction.

What books have fueled your thinking or challenged you in the last few years?

“According to Plan” by Graeme Goldsworthy has shown me the whole Bible in context. “He Who Gives Life” by Graham Cole has helped me know the Holy Spirit. “Overcoming Sin and Temptation” by John Owen (Ed. Justin Taylor) helps me take sin seriously. “Seeing with New Eyes” by David Powlison grounds my counseling biblically. “Foundations for Soul Care” by Eric Johnson leaves me with fear and trembling about the urgency to maintain a thoroughly biblical worldview when it comes to psychology.

What’s playing in your iPod right now?

Death Cab for Cutie, The Strokes, Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, TV on the Radio, Waterdeep, Matt Chandler

What’s your favorite Scripture? Why?

Exodus. The more I read it, the more I see how it is a microcosm of the whole Bible, which greatly increases my appreciation for the rest of the Bible and gives me some mental hooks to hang it on.