I am the middle school youth guy for flipd, the middle school ministry of First Friends and am also First Friends’ Instigator of Justice. Middle schoolers are the best people in the world. In my free time I work as an Associate Staff member with the CCO and am pursuing my Masters of Divinity through George Fox University. As part of my work with the CCO, I hang out with students at Malone University (the college from whence I graduated), trying to help them think about living lives without compartments. I also get the opportunity to travel to various colleges (like Messiah, Kent State, Kenyon, etc), leading workshops & retreats.

I worked at Camp Gideon for 10 years. I miss the sunsets (among a myriad of other things). I worked at The Chapel for 4 years as their middle school guy & pastor of porn. I miss the students and the one-of-a-kind youth staff team we had. I co-created and gave leadership for 3 years to a small group ministry related to pornography & sexuality known as six19. The small groups are currently inactive, but I still do presentations occasionally.

I grew up in Canton, Ohio, and live in a house there where I try to think about what it means to be a good neighbor and live with a sense of belonging. I enjoy discussing the emerging church conversation, Quaker theology, HIV/AIDS & other social justice issues, and the intersection of culture and Christ followers. I love the outdoors, wood-burning fires, seasons, wearing hats, old-fashioned Christmas trees, chocolate chip cookies (with milk) and reading. I get a kick out of playing foosball and leading worship.

Conversation Cafe columns . . .