I was born and raised in Senegal, West Africa, where my parents served and still serve as missionaries to the Wolof people as church planters.  The day when I finally trusted Christ as my Lord and Savior was in high school.  After that, I completed a BA in Media Communications before returning to Africa to serve as a missionary in Dakar, Senegal.  God placed my wife and I there for a specific reason and for a specific time, after which we felt called back to Colorado and to Grace Church, where we are now!  I'm excited to be serving in a media ministry role, God works in such cool ways!

What or who inspires you most?

I'm a film nut, so I get inspired by watching good movies. Not like ... blockbusters. The really epic stories that show real struggles and epic victory.  If you haven't seen it, War Dance is a great example of what inspires me to do what I do.  If you've seen it, you'll understand.  (Now go watch it)

What is your favorite movie?

Hacksaw Ridge is epic.  Beautiful, emotional and such a crazy (true) story.

What is your biggest challenge?

Much of my family still lives in Africa and the rest are in Kentucky.  Though I'm used to the separation and the Skype calls, it's still tough.  Homesickness is real, guys.

One thing people don't know about you?

I speak three languages, but only English is useful in this country.

Born and raised in Houston, I was immersed in the culture of the Bible Belt. Trusting in Christ was just the norm, but it was in high school that I really started to understand what it means to live a life in a relationship with Him. In August 2011, I moved to Denver to pursue a music degree at Colorado Christian University and graduated with honors in May 2015. Shortly after graduation, I was hired on at Grace, where I met my best friend and love of my life, Shay Hicks.  We got married in November 2016 and adopted our first rescue pup, Winston, a year later.  The rest of our adventure is still to be written.

What is your favorite season & why?

Winter! Growing up in Texas we never had snow, so winter is an exciting time for me. Although driving in snow is no fun, I love wearing scarfs and mittens, building snowmen, and the beauty of a snowy winter sunrise. 

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Like every small child I dreamed of being famous – a gymnast or a touring musician, specifically. Luckily, God started changing my mind in middle school and from then on, I wanted to be in church ministry full-time. Oh, how faithful He is!

When did you first come to Grace?

In October 2011 I started volunteering as the Youth Worship Leader and remained in that position until May 2013. It was quite the adventure doing that without a car while living in Lakewood, but I loved every minute of it and am blessed to be here again.

What is your favorite movie?

Hands-down, Disney’s The Aristocats. The music, the kittens, and the waddling geese. What more could you ask for in a movie?

What is your biggest challenge?

Being such a scheduled, organized person, I like to have a plan at all times. Thankfully, God doesn’t always follow the plan I put in place, but it can be hard for me to follow His lead when I’m not quite sure where He’s taking me.

I have been a Christian as long as I can remember.  When I was 12, I was at summer camp in Nebraska - my faith became the most important aspect of my life.  I have not looked back since then and am passionate about my relationship with Jesus Christ.  I got hired at Grace in the fall of 2014.  The following summer, I started dating my future wife, Esther and we got married in November, 2016.  A year later, we adopted our puppy, Winston, to start our family and couldn't be more blessed.

What is your favorite season & why?

Spring to Summer - my birthday is in April, March Madness starts, golf season gets started and I just love being able to go outside in the summer, wearing shorts.

What is your favorite movie?

Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.  Greatest plot twist in cinematic history.  Also, Han Solo is my hero!

What or who inspires you most?

Like I said, Han Solo is my hero!

What is your favorite book?

The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.  It is, in my mind, a masterpiece.  My favorite book series, on the other hand, is Harry Potter, without question.  JK Rowling is a modern day Shakespeare.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

I have lived a perfect day ... once.  My family and I were able to hit up all four major theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort.  I believe we got to the Animal Kingdom around 7am and finished up at the Magic Kingdom at midnight.  I have never been so tired, but it was a perfect day!

I became a follower of Christ and was baptized when I was around 8 years old.  I have grown up my whole life as the son of a pastor with a very musical family.  I am married to my beautiful wife, Amanda, of 3 years and we don't have any kids yet.  My wife and I are both Colorado natives who spent the last 3 years in South Florida helping with a church plant.  We are both incredibly excited to be back in Colorado here at Grace and close to family again!

What is your favorite season & why?

I love Spring!  It's not too hot and it's not too cold.  I also love seeing everything come back to life!

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I grew up wanting to be a football player who played for the Dallas Cowboys.  It never happened.

What is your favorite movie?

Zoolander!  "What is this?! A center for Ants?!"

A place you would like to visit?

I would love to visit Israel someday!  There's so much history and beauty there.

What is your favorite book?

The Hunger Games Trilogy

Bio coming soon!

I was born and raised in Illinois and moved to Germany my senior year in high school. I began attending a Military Chapel Protestant service and going to youth group and finally understood the gospel and trusted Christ in 1979. I moved to Colorado in 1992 and I met my husband Jeff here at Grace and got married in 1993. We have one son, Mitchell, and live in Arvada. I love being on staff and one of the favorite parts of my job is to see everyone on the weekends and hear all the exciting things God is doing.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a nurse, became one, and had the privilege of working in Oncology Nursing for 17 years before working at Grace (I also wanted to be taller!)

One thing people don’t know about you?

I was baptized in the Jordan River

What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is to not be concerned about what others think and pleasing them, and instead be focused on what God wants me to be.

A place you would like to visit?

New York at Christmas, I want to ice skate at Rockefeller Center

What is your idea of a perfect day?

The perfect day for me is to wake up to at least 2 feet of snow on the ground, eat a donut, throw on my winter snow clothes, call my friends and invite them over to go sledding. Then I get to stay outside all day sledding until my fingers are frozen, my hair is hanging in icicles and I am so tired I can’t walk up the hill one more time; but since it’s the perfect day, my amazing husband has added a tow rope to get me up the hill. When I get done, I go inside and drink hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows, put on my favorite PJ’s and sit in front of the fireplace to get warm while watching “White Christmas” and hear one of my favorite songs “Count Your Blessings”. That is a perfect day, but don’t tell my friend Pastor Jim, he thinks I like summer!

I was born in Portland, Oregon. I was practically raised in the church and accepted Christ at 9 years old at our summer church camp. I attended North Park University, a small Christian school in Chicago, and it was there that I discovered my passion for music and my desire to use music to bring glory to God. I've been in Colorado since 2000 and in 2003, married my smokin' hot wife, Krista.  We now have two beautiful kiddos, Abbey and Jake! 

What is your favorite treat or snack?

My favorite snack is peanut M&Ms. They are filled with an immense amount of peanut-y goodness, therefore they bring me great joy.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is Lord of the Rings. To me, no other movie comes close to this one. Not even Fletch, although it is my favorite comedy.

When did you first come to Grace?

Krista and I have been serving here at Grace since January of 2006.

One thing people don’t know about you?

I am a huge Lionel Richie fan. The man has a voice as smooth as butter…

A place you would like to visit?

I’d love to go to every baseball stadium. I’m a huge baseball fan, so I’d love to take a summer and try to make it to all of them.

I first visited Grace at the age of 15 with my dad. I returned again at the age of 25, just after I was married to my beautiful wife, Julie. I accepted Christ that year. I volunteered at Grace for almost 10 years in the IT and Media Departments. I am now full-time, fulfilling the role of Technology Director.

What is your favorite season & why?

Spring - during the spring, we see a new beginning of life everywhere.  The temperature is perfect, not hot yet but the dark, cold days of winter have passed.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to work with technology.  God allowed me to do this for 16 years in the corporate world and now has allowed me to do this in ministry.

A place you would like to visit?

My wife Julie and I have been to many places around the world - we hope to travel to Australia next.

What is your idea of a perfect day?

My idea of a perfect day would be spent riding through the mountains on my motorcycle with my wife Julie.