The First Post

This is a big deal, right? My first-ever post on my brand new blog. If you’re here, I’m thankful for you and your interest in my life and the work God is leading me through. I guess I only ever really know how to begin a new endeavor with a clear vision, so I will start there.

I didn’t name the blog “This is Church” to be so arrogant as to think that somehow the people around me are “doing Church right” or that I’ve somehow stumbled upon the secret to living in community exactly as Jesus intends. Nor was my intention to steal Bill Hybels’ 20th leadership catchphrase from his book Axiom and just try to make it young and cool and post-modern. To be honest, I’m not actually sure how the phrase became common usage amongst my friends, but we have formed a habit of pointing out particularly poignant gospel moments with an emphatic “This is Church”.

And it’s those moments I want to capture here for you. I simply want this to be a space where I can share the thoughts, feelings and stories that come from a man living life trying to figure out what loving Jesus and leading His Church look like. I know many of you can’t be with me in person but still long to hear what God is doing in and around me, and I long to share it with you also. So I hope this space can encourage you as a written witness to God’s power and goodness.

I am convinced more than ever of God’s love for this world and his powerful work on campus at the University of Michigan, where I will (God-willing) soon be a missionary. It’s with great wonder and anticipation that I embark on this journey, and it just wouldn’t quite be the same without you, the people who have taken a keen interest in my heart and passions. So enjoy. And to God be the glory forever and ever.

Related posts:

1. I Used to be Good at Ministry