Tell us about your family.

My incredibly beautiful wife Melissa and I will soon celebrate our 10th anniversary. We met at our old church. I got to know her when she attended the church's membership class that I was teaching. I think it's amazing that she was the first person I ever baptized! We started dating a few months later. While we occasionally open our home to young people who need a place to stay, we have no biological children. Our "adopted" son and daughter-in-law recently had their first child Kaleo Mark.  We are very happy and proud grandparents! We also have a sweet but feisty little Welsh Corgie named Toffee that we spoil rotten.

What would you say you do here?

I've always been a multi-tasker so that's what I do at First Cov… I run around a lot and try to make sure that everybody has what they need to do the job that they feel called to do. I oversee all of our worship services, trying to provide experiences and space for people to truly encounter the living God.  I am privileged to work with a great team of staff and volunteers in our worship ministries.  I also have a huge heart for global outreach so I regularly communicate with our global outreach partners, plan short-term trips and (with a ton of help from my wonderful wife Melissa) lead the Global Pipeline internship program. Then I'm involved in less dramatic things like proofreading the bulletin and overseeing the use of the kitchen.... I'm never bored! I love my job and I love the teams of people I get to work with!

Your favorite TV series?

Well, I love comedy and nothing compares to the simple, physical comedy of I Love Lucy. Even decades after it first aired, it's really hilarious. When I was in high school and college MASH was my favorite show. It could make you laugh, cry and struggle with social issues all in the span of a half hour. A few years ago Melissa and I were hooked on Everwood, a great drama about family relationships, teenage struggles, and current social issues. Right now, the only things we really watch with any regularity are American Idol and Chopped (on Food Network).

What book has changed you the most? (And, no, you can't say the Bible.)

I love to read. It's hard for me to ever throw a book away or give it away, even if I didn't like it, because I still may want to refer to it someday. Some of the books that have had the biggest impact on my life include The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (German theologian who participated in a plot to assassinate Hitler), Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper (a great book on the theology of missions), Disappointment with God by Philip Yancey (a great text confronting what happens when the Christian life isn't easy), and Messy Spirituality by Mike Yaconelli (an inspiring, crazy book reminding us that God is a mystery and following Jesus is never neat and tidy) . More recently, Crazy Love by Francis Chan has really challenged me. I'm reading it for the third time right now and it's still rocking my comfortable American world! And by the way, call me old school, but I still like the feel of a real book printed on paper, not downloaded to an electronic device!

Your first job?

When I was in high school my mother worked as an Assistant Administrator at a nursing home. She helped me get a job running a little gift and snack shop in the facility for the residents and staff. I worked after school in the afternoons and on Saturdays for a couple of hours at a time. It was fun getting to know a lot of the residents. I'd hear a lot of great stories when they'd come to the store to buy a soda or a candy bar.

Which app on your iPhone gets used most?

I'm addicted to Bookworm and Words with Friends. I love word games and playing a game while standing in line at Costco sure makes time go by faster!

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

I come from a long line of pastors. My dad, both of my grandfathers, my older brother, my uncle, several cousins, and a bunch of other relatives were all in the ministry. As a kid, I loved God, but I was sure I wanted to pursue a different career path than church ministry. I had secret dreams of being a Broadway performer. That never happened!

If you were to invite Jesus over for dinner, what would you cook for Him? (And would you be the one to cook? Or would you pawn it off on your wife?)

I'm the cook in the family, so I'm sure I would want to do the cooking, but I think I'd be a little more stressed than normal! I think Jesus probably had enough fish when he was on earth, so I'd likely do something like chicken marsala with lemon pasta and roasted vegetables. Maybe some rich cream of mushroom soup with grilled focaccia for an appetizer. And definitely chocolate souffle or chocolate creme brulee for dessert... considering it's Jesus, I'd probably make him both!