I believe the hope of the world is the church.

I also believe the hope of the church are trained leaders—strong, imaginative, godly.

This blog represents reflections coming out of my readings, my experiences as a pastor, and my life as a seminary professor. I have pastored for thirty-three years, both in Europe and the Pacific Northwest. I have been a seminary professor at Western Seminary for the past twenty years. Each role has informed the other.

Several years ago, I began writing as a response to what I was reading, what I have experienced in ministry, and what God has been teaching me in the quiet of the wilderness. The aim is to strengthen other Christ followers who are equally as passionate about challenging and deepening their faith.

I never imagined I would be in these roles. At 16 years of age I came to Christ through the ministry of Youth for Christ. I set my sights on being a career officer in the Air Force, but as I prepared, I began to sense a call to ministry instead. I changed course hours before I was to board a plane for the Academy in Colorado Springs.

I attended San Diego University and pursued a degree in International Relations, which served as a good foundation for my Master’s level work at Western Seminary. In seminary God brought significant men into my life who prepared me for pastoral ministry. I eventually went on to Dallas Seminary, where I earned a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology.

My first book, Under an Open Heaven, was released in February 2017 (Kregel). It is a call to live the life an open heaven has enabled us to live. My second book, Missing Voices was released in 2019 (Langham). It is a book on global leadership, reflecting my teaching both at home and abroad. I am currently working on a third book, Reframing Leadership, to be published by Zondervan in late 2021.

My wife Heather and I share time between our home on the west side of Portland and our cabin in NE Washington, on the Pend Oreille River.

Reading, kayaking, and biking are my passions. My favorite writers include N. T. Wright, Jonah Goldberg, Scot McKnight, Walter Brueggemann, David Brooks, Ross Douthat, and Erik Larson.