What do you do at the Mission?
A little bit of everything, but my main responsibilities are as Food Services Director and Mission Manager.

Tell us about yourself
I love to cook and organize large functions. There’s nothing like running the ovens on a party of 600 or 800.

What’s one thing about you that surprises people?
That I’m a kid at heart and pretty fun despite my appearance and reputation as a “meany.” I relate really well with the younger program clients.

What’s the most influential book you’ve read besides the Bible?
Any Way – The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith.

Favorite TV show or movie?
Top Chef and The Godfather I and II.

How did you end up at the Mission?
I went to another place to detox and found out my insurance was canceled. They suggested I go to the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission. I thank Christ for that.

What’s the best criticism you ever received?
That if I didn’t learn how to talk to people that no one would ever work for me or follow my direction.

How did you come to know Christ?
Little by little and a little more every day.

Any hobbies?
Cooking, lifting weights, playing pool, fishing, and riding motorcycles.

Biggest fear?
Living the way I used to, which was falling down and not trying to get back up.

What do you like most about being part of the Mission team?
The fact that I can trust the people without fear of rejection. The people here don’t want anything from me except for me to be myself. I found out who I could be here. It’s amazing to me that cleaned up addicts are such a good group of people.

What food never touches your lips?
Jelly.

Favorite memory at the Mission?
They just keep coming. The last was telling a client that he had earned his G.E.D. He hugged me so long and hard it was hard to breathe. Then he looked at me with the brightest, shiniest eyes I’ve ever seen.

Morning or evening person?
I rise pretty early but I really come out at night.

Why the Gospel Mission?
I sound cliché, but I want to give back what was given to me. To help one person see the things I’ve seen, and to have the changes that I’ve had through faith.