I was introduced to Jesus when I was six years old and my grandparents moved to my hometown. They brought me to a small church every Sunday. There, my grandfather would place a quarter in my hand for the offering and then sit patiently for the remainder of the service while he heard me drop it over and over again on the linoleum floor. But even at that early and fidgety age, I was moved tremendously by my grandfather’s quiet, dignified faith and my grandmother’s sensitivity to the still promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

Through those blessings, and through some tough trials that were soon to come, it seemed that the Lord invited me into a journey of an intimate relationship—a journey of love that I sometimes followed fervently, and often followed with much aimless wandering and doubtful wondering. 

But the Lord has filled that journey with abundant blessings—the biggest by far being the privilege of being a husband to my best friend, Tonya, for 30 years, and a father to two amazing, grown children.

In my working life, I started out as an engineer and then business consultant. Then the Lord led me into ministry through freelance writing and leadership roles in church and parachurch ministries. 

Throughout most of my working life, however, whatever the goal was on paper, I seemed to be mostly drawn to listening to others and, ultimately, spiritual companionship—to walking with others, as well as people walking with me. This led me to Spiritual Direction and training and certification through the Sustainable Faith School of Spiritual Direction.

Through Spiritual Direction, it has been a privilege to both offer and receive an invitation into the mystery of an intimate life with God and encouragement along the journey.