What do you do at First Cov?

My dad was asked this question when he was the Senior Pastor at first cov and he said, “Lead and feed. My primary focus is to lead the staff & church ministries and feed the flock from the Word of God. I don't want to be remembered for building a big church and moving into bigger buildings; I want to be remembered as a pastor who always told people about God and taught them God's Word.” And now that’s what God has asked of me as senior pastor of this incredible church.

When/how did you first come to First Cov? And why did you stay?

I was almost literally born into the church. My parents were just attending here when I was born. I went through Sunday school here, Boys Brigades here, and junior high and high school ministries here. Besides my parents, First Cov has been the greatest influence on my faith. After graduating from high school, I moved away from Sacramento and didn’t attend First Cov... until 15 years later when I was asked to come back and serve as associate pastor. I came back because First Cov has always felt like home. Now I am here because I believe strongly that God has called me to lead this church in the direction He guides.

What about your family?

I had the incredible opportunity to marry my best friend, Holly, in June 2000. I wrote to her in our tenth anniversary card: "The first year is supposed to be difficult as we adjust…it was awesome. The third year it’s supposed to get a little stale…it was exciting. The seventh year came and there was no itch. Now here we are 10 years and 3 kids in and I’m falling in love with you more every day.” We have three kids: Styer was born in 2005; he's so smart and loves sports. Kegan was born in 2008; she is the encourager in our family. Blaire was born in 2009 and she is, without a doubt, the pistol.

Your favorite TV show?

As lame as it may sound....what I watch most is PGA golf tournaments on the weekend. I DVR them every weekend and speed watch them at night!

Your favorite hobby?

I can be a hobby addict. I have gone through phases of 4-wheeling, backpacking, rock climbing, bowling, racquetball, and basketball...and the list goes on and on. When Holly and I had our first child, I decided to make a conscious decision that I would narrow my hobby list down to two: fly fishing and golf. But since Styer was born five years ago, I’ve only been fly fishing four times...but I’ve golfed countless times. So I think it's safe to say the reality is I have one hobby: Golf—the sport I love to hate!

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

All I wanted to be when I grew up was a professional football player—specifically a wide receiver for the Raiders! That’s all I cared about. I actually thought I could make it happen until I was about 18 years old and realized there weren’t a lot of colleges looking for a slow 6’1” 160 lb wide receiver. So that pretty much removed professional football from my future.