What do you do at the Mission?
As the Executive Director, I oversee everything, from budgets and personnel to purchasing and creating programs. But like everyone else here, I wear a lot of different hats. I also teach, preach and counsel – I’ll sweep the floor if I have to. I love what I do.

Tell us about yourself
I was raised in the church but left and led a life where I did and saw horrible things. Once I got my act together, I became a newspaper reporter in Los Angeles for many years before I felt God leading me into ministry. I got my master’s degree in counseling and moved to Reno, where God brought me to the Mission in 1997. I have a beautiful wife (we recently celebrated 22 years of marriage) and four incredible kids. My wife and I also head up Enjoying Marriage Ministries and we travel putting on marriage conferences. When I’m not thinking about or doing something for the Mission or marriages, I’m with my family. That’s where I find peace and rejuvenation.

What’s one thing about you that surprises people?
That I’m an introvert.

What’s the most influential book you’ve read besides the Bible?
Tie between “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby and “Seizing Your Divine Moment” (now called “Chasing Daylight”) by Erwin McManus. Both challenged me to make my faith real and personal with God by stepping out and doing things and making things happen rather than just waiting for some cosmic door to open.

Favorite TV show or movie?
When the NFL isn’t playing, I like to watch reruns of comedies like King of Queens, Frasier, George Lopez and the old Get Smart. Current shows I try to catch are The Middle, Grimm, and the wife got me hooked on The Amazing Race. Favorite movie is probably Die Hard (or insert any”guy” movie here: Terminator, Predator, Braveheart, Lethal Weapon, etc.)

How did you end up at the Mission?
I had just had a bitter experience at a so-called “Christian” agency and was licking my wounds when God told me to knock it off and get up and get moving again. The next day I saw an ad that the Mission wanted a Christian writer. I was a pastor and counselor, but I figured I’d put my writing skills to use. I started at the Mission as the public relations guy. It’s grown into so much more.

What’s the best criticism you ever received?
Back when my wife and I were really struggling in the first year or so of our marriage, I tended to blame her for everything. We went to a pastor for counseling and he got tired of hearing my garbage and said, “Why don’t you shut up and act like a man?” Normally, those were fighting words, but nobody had ever talked to me like that or been that honest with me. I grew up that day. I learned to truly love my wife as Christ loves the church.

How did you come to know Christ?
I grew up in a church family and always considered myself a “Christian,” but I realize now I knew “of” Jesus, but didn’t know him personally. I then did my share of rebellion with drugs and alcohol but always sensed there was something I was missing. After we got married, Charlotte rededicated her life to Christ. I saw a peace and joy in her that I had never seen in anyone before. I wanted what she had and realized it could only come through God.

What hobbies do you have?
Raising four kids in a crazy world.

Biggest fear?
Never being good enough.

What do like most about being part of the Mission team?
I like being part of something unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before: The way 20 staff members with different personalities and styles can move as one body to help people in need. We come from such diverse backgrounds and denominations, yet we’re able to set aside any petty theological or political differences to do God’s work. We have a saying that we don’t talk much about religion, but we talk an awful lot about Jesus.

What food never touches your lips?
Liver and meatloaf. Just added calamari. Nasty.

Favorite memory at the Mission?
When I told a prostitute that Jesus could make her clean again. I’ll always remember her weeping (I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone cry like that) and saying that she never thought anyone would accept her. The weight of the world was lifted from her shoulders and she became a believer. Last I heard, she’s working as a manager at a retail store in town. That’s my Jesus. No matter how filthy someone is, He can clean them up.

Morning or evening person?
It’s weird, but the older I get the more I’m becoming a morning person.

Why the Gospel Mission?
Because we’re making a difference. We’re changing lives. It’s not about tapping people on the forehead or dousing them with holy water. It’s about getting involved in their lives and helping them become healthy and whole again. It’s about breaking the chains of addiction that bind so many people. When you set someone free – actually free – you know that you’ve changed their course of history forever.

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