Bio

If I were to comment on my life, the most authentic thing I could say would be this -- It has been in a constant state of recovery.

In 1994, while in college, I became a Christian.  After yet another night of empty partying and heavy drinking, I prayed to God for help, and asked him to fill the void in my heart.  A week later I met a great group of guys who invited me to church and actually sat down and studied the Bible with me.  I decided to leave the life of drinking, drugs and chasing women behind, get baptized for the forgiveness of my sins, and commit my life to God.  For the first time in life the void in my heart was filled with God's love.  Spiritual recovery.

In 2001, seven years after becoming a Christian, I was faced with a crisis of truth, while working as a campus minister.  Even though I hadn't been drunk or high in seven years, the consequences of my past began catching up with me.  My previous years of substance abuse had damaged my ability to function at even the basic emotional and spiritual level.  My heart had become evasive, masked and unavailable.  Through the Chemical Recovery program, I learned how to take full responsibility for how my choices hurt myself, God and others and actually experience complete sobriety for the first time.  Chemical Recovery.

In late 2003, after being away serving in the campus ministry for three years, I returned to my home Church (TurningPoint, formerly the AMS).  It was at that time I came to realize that the pain from my past (broken relationships, deaths, broken homes, broken dreams etc.) had damaged me more than I ever realized.  The pain from life had become like a weight around my neck and had dramatically and negatively affected my capacity for joy and confidence and my willingness to trust others.  Completing the Grief Recovery program gave me the tools I needed to honestly communicate the truth about the pain of my past, and get past it.  Grief Recovery.

And now here I am!  I have life completely figured out and everything is absolutely perfect!

Uh...  Just kidding.

The truth is, it seems like the longer I have been a Christian (and a human being for that matter) the less I feel like I have it "figured out" and the more I feel a need for constant recovery.  But that isn't a bad thing.  A life of recovery isn't depressing or sad at all.  In fact, a life of on going recovery is the greatest life one can possibly live!  Sure, I have collected my share of souvenirs from "Stupid Land", but thanks to God and the spiritual people in my life, those things can actually serve to deepen my appreciation for life and my connections with others.  In fact I'm realizing more and more that I actually serve as living proof-- proof that there is a God, and he definitely has a sense of humor.

Today, I'm amazed to be able to say that I am happily married to my incredible wife Kim.  She is definitely my "soul mate" in every sense.  I love her to death, and she actually has the bandwidth to hang in there with me (there is a GOD!)  In December of 2010, my wife gave birth to our first child, Anthony Kevin, who is just the greatest little guy ever! I am priviledged to serve as the singles minister/shepherd for the Turning Point Christian Church (that's right.  I said minister.  How's that for God's sense of humor?) I'm surrounded by great spiritual men like Edward A., Jerry G., James S., Jody W., Eric L., John J., Joey C., Greg K., Mike L., and others who keep me from going off the rails.  I'm also fortunate enough to be mentored by one of my close friends and personal heroes, Kevin Holland and get to work with and learn from Jay Minor (the greatest family builder ever!) and TP's elder Mike Upton (the guy who put the "S" in stable).  Needless to say, I'm humbled and just glad to have a spot on the team.

Now I just want to make sure I play my position...