Following God's Call
From the rolling hills of Southern Indiana to the pulpit and beyond, my journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to faith, service, and continuous learning. When I gave my life to Christ in eighth grade, I never imagined how profoundly that decision would shape my future. That same year, I felt God's unmistakable call to ministry and preached my first sermon a few days before my freshman year in high school, taking my first steps on a path that would lead me through various roles in church leadership and Christian service.
My academic journey continued beyond high school at the University of Evansville, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Religion, laying the groundwork for understanding both the spiritual and practical aspects of leadership. This foundation was further strengthened at Asbury Theological Seminary, where I completed my Master of Divinity. Currently, I'm pursuing an MBA with a focus in Project Management, believing that effective ministry in today's world requires both spiritual wisdom and practical administrative acumen (more on that in later posts).
For a decade, I served in various roles at a United Methodist Church, ultimately as Executive Pastor. During this time, I had the privilege of representing my state as a delegate to the UMC’s international General Conference in both 2016 and 2019, serving on various denominational boards and committees. This experience provided valuable insights into church governance and leadership at the highest levels.
My professional journey has been diverse, including roles as a managing partner of an IT and creative service small business and communications director for two Christian nonprofits. Most recently, I served as Marketing & Communications Officer with a local community foundation, using my skills to help strengthen my home community.
In June 2022, I became one of the first ordained Elders in what would become the Great Lakes Conference of the Global Methodist Church, a milestone that reflects both my commitment to traditional Methodism and my vision for the future of the church. I share this calling with my wife, Callie Best, who is also an ordained Elder in the Global Methodist Church and serves as a chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Today, Callie and I are blessed with two energetic young boys, ages one and three, who fill our lives with joy and adventure. We're active members of Grace Commons Church, a Global Methodist church plant where we're helping build a new community of faith.
When I'm not serving in ministry or spending time with my family, you'll find me traveling to new places, engaging with friends, following basketball, football, and baseball, or pursuing my passion for reading and writing. These activities not only provide personal enjoyment but also inform and enrich my ministry and leadership.
My journey continues to be guided by that early calling I received in eighth grade, now expressed through a commitment to faithful service, lifelong learning, and building ministries that impact lives for Christ. Whether in the church, the marketplace, or the community, I strive to integrate faith, leadership, and service in ways that honor God and serve others.
