Hometown

Claremore, Okla.

Family Info

Married eight amazing years to Alexandra Taylor. Our family consists of two golden retrievers (Chief & Max) and two cats (Gary & Sam).

Primary Church Ministry

Director of Counseling & Spiritual Renewal.

Ministry Passion

Connecting with others through deep conversation, prayer and treks into creation. Also, working in marriage ministry with my wife.

Colleges

University of Houston-Downtown (undergraduate degree in psychology), Houston Baptist University (graduate degree in pastoral counseling & psychology)

Hobbies

Motorcycles, backpacking and reading.

An Embarrassing Moment

“One Sunday, when Anke Kuch put together a slide show with pictures of different people from the congregation. When the person’s picture came up, the congregation was supposed to shout out his or her name. When my picture came up (which was a personal nightmare in itself), someone shouted ‘Brad Pitt.’  This is like calling the giant guy ‘Tiny’ or the fat guy “Slim,” since I obviously bare no resemblance to the ‘sexiest man alive.’ I am still teased about this incident to this day.”

A Cherished COR Memory

“As cheesy as this sounds, this moment occurs for me every Sunday morning, during our praise and worship time. I look around and take in the view of the incredibly diverse multitude of people that God has brought together for the purpose of loving one another and worshiping His name. It fills me with a joy that is difficult to describe. Very cool.”

Favorite Bible Verse

Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Favorite Food:  Cajun seafood and steak.

Favorite Exercise

Lifting weights, boot camp at the YMCA and hiking

Favorite Color

Red and black (the Cherokee war colors)

Favorite Music Style

Very eclectic (from hardcore rock to classical to country to gospel)

Favorite Secular Band

The Doors

Favorite Spiritual Band

Fred Hammond

Favorite Sport

MMA (mixed martial arts)

Surprise Us

“I am an outdoors kind of guy who does not like the city, loves the country, yet works in inner-city ministry and lives in the fourth largest city in the United States.”

Bucket Stuff

A motorcycle ride along the Trail of Tears, hiking through Montana with my wife, a vacation along the Italian coast, a hiking trek across New Zealand and the Alps & Pyrenees and riding a bull