50 Years and Counting

Hello world. Today is my 50th birthday. It certainly isn’t momentous in the grand scheme of things but it seems significant to have reached this milestone. And so, as I look back over my life, I pause to give thanks. I give thanks to God for the gift of life; for my parents, who brought me into this world; for a whole host of teachers, pastors, mentors, etc who have helped me learn, and grow, and become the person I am today; for friends and family members who have journeyed with me to so many destinations – phyysical, emotional, and spiritual destinations.  These 50 years have been full of adventure, joy, sorrow, excitement, disappointment, wonder, and love.  I have always thought that our lives are marked by our relationships and the people who have loved us and the people we have loved. If you are reading this you are likely one of those people who has been a part of my journey.  Thank you for the part you have played in helping me get to this day. As I reflect over my life I give thanks for the many communities that have helped nurture me.

I was born in Gastonia, NC at Gaston Memorial Hospital. Our family – mom, dad, older brother and sister – all moved to Boone, NC when I was 2. That was my home during my most formative years.  It was a wonderful community where there were many friends, a beautiful faith community at First Presbyterian Church, and an amazing outdoor playground of mountains, creeks, valleys, etc.  I enjoyed life at Green Valley Elementary and Hardin Park Elementary and Watauga High school.  I worked and played hard in Troop 109 of the Boy Scouts.  I played trumpet and sang and rode bikes, and hiked, and ran all over creation with my friends and family. At the age of 15 I decided to pursue becoming an exchange student through AFS (American Field Service) and at age 16 embarked on a life changing experience – living in Uruguay, South America for half my Junior year and half my senior year of high school. Now, with two daughters entering their junior year, it is hard for me to imagine how my parents managed to let me do that.  They were brave, trusting, and loving to give me such a rich experience.

I lived in Paysandu, Uruguay for most of 1985. It was a strange time for the country – just coming out of a military dictatorship. I lived with the Baccaro family and made friends with classmates and extended family. My closest friends were members of the Bertoni family. They kept me sane during the year and were like a second family to me.  Carlos and his family are dear friends to this day.

I returned to Boone after my year abroad and finished high school, worked for the summer as a day chef at Winston’s restaurant in Blowing Rock, and then began my studies at NC State in fall of 1986.  That would be my home for the next four years.

I was part of the Thomas Jefferson Scholars Program at NCSU and was required to choose a major from the School of Ag and Life Sciences and a major from the school of Humanities and Social Sciences.  I ultimately chose Agronomy and International Affairs.  My TJS peers were good friends, as were my friends from Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship and Alexander International Dorm.  I studied hard for four years. My summers included 2 summers as a camp counselor at Camp Grier, one summer working as an intern at the Watauga County Ag Extension office, and one summer as a server at Gabby’s Rib restaurant in Myrtle Beach, SC before grad school. During my years at college I had begun to feel God’s pull on my life toward some kind of ministry.  I did not know what I would be doing but it seemed God was leading me to continue my schooling at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA and that is where I went in the fall of 1990.

I spent two years pursuing a Masters in Christian Education, making friends, considering my future, continuing to explore the mission field, living in Chile, South America for one summer and interning with the Presbytery of Philadelphia another summer.  At graduation I was clear I was going to pursue a career in Christian Education.  I started that journey in Evansville, IN at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.

From 1992-1998 I served EPC – serving with some amazing people and making some  wonderful friends. During that time I had the privilege of going on mission trips to Mexico and Bolivia, being part of a production of Godspell, serving on the Board of Camp PYOCA, and meeting the woman of my dreams who would later become my wife.  Jenny and I were married in June, 1996 and served EPC for 2 more years before deciding to pursue ordination and attending seminary at Columbia Seminary in Decatur, GA.

We were there for almost two years.  Jenny worked and supported me while I pursued my MDiv. I studied, worked at East Lake, recorded a CD, learned about urban ministry, and prayed about what was next. In spring 2000 I accepted a call to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Bradenton, FL as Associate Pastor. We moved to Bradenton in the summer and I began my service there in July, working with some wonderful people who I will never forget.

We lived in Bradenton for four years, having our first children, Anne and Madalyn (twins), learning about ministry in Florida, walking on the beach, making new friends,surviving our first Tropical Storm, and dreaming about getting closer to home.  After four wonderful and fruitful years I accepted a call to First Presbyterian Church in Union, SC as their Solo Pastor.

We moved to Union in July, 2004 and began seven wonderful years.  We had our third child, Claire, and were so warmly received by the church and the community.  They took such good care of us and we tried to take good care of them, serving God together, worshipping in traditional and creative ways, sharing the good news of God’s love through worship, education, and service.  I was blessed to serve on the board of Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center, on various Presbytery committees and also able to travel to Honduras on two occasions to strengthen partnerships with mission co-workers there. What a gift. After many years in Union, our family felt a need for a new adventure and as we searched and prayed we felt God’s call to Davidson, NC. In the spring of 2011 I accepted a call to be the Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Mission at Davidson College Presbyterian Church.  We moved there the first of August and have continued to serve there for the last seven years.

We have made so many wonderful friends and enjoyed serving with the good people at DCPC.  They have given me the gift of this three month sabbatical journey.  It gives me time to reflect upon the gifts of life and the wonderful blessing of God’s presence and love. At DCPC we have experienced so many extraordinary things through worship and music, mission and service, dreaming and imagining God’s vision for us and for the world.  I am excited to continue that journey with my brothers and sisters there when I return in October.

So – that is a walk through the places I have lived during these 50 years of life.  It could make up many books but I write today simply to remember and give thanks for each of the communities that have helped to nurture me throughout my life.  I hope that I have enriched you as well by being a part of you.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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