What would you say you do here?

When people ask me what I do here at First Cov, I tell them that, as Business Administrator, I wear many hats. I serve as a support role to all the different ministries within our church. I consider myself a servant leader as I work along side the maintenance staff, administrative assistant staff, accounting staff and ministry staff. Some of the responsibilities I have are to pay the bills to keep the lights on so we can do ministry. My day may be filled with everything from making sure the computers are working to mini bus maintenance that needs to be done prior to a youth event or mission trip. Obviously there are many other responsibilities such as reporting to the elder board monthly and the congregation semi annually regarding the finances of our church. I am very blessed to be able to serve our God here at First Cov in this fantastic role.

Where did we find you?

Sometime around 1997, my wife, Betty, and I were both changing jobs, moving us from Stockton to Folsom. We started looking for a new church home and, because we knew Pastor Ted from our Youth for Christ days in Stockton, we tried First Cov. (The church was still meeting on La Riviera Drive at that time.) After a few months, we decided to make First Cov our church home. I was in the banking business at the time, working at Mather Field. I also worked for Intel Corporation for a short time as a Business Analyst. Pastor Ted called me in 2000 and asked me to apply for the position of Business Administrator. I felt the call from God to accept this position and it has been a great adventure ever since.

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

I recently read the book RADICAL by David Platt. It's a book that has begun some transformation in me for several reasons. It has challenged me to consider with an open heart how I have been manipulated by my cultural preferences to fit Jesus into my own world. In this book, Platt teaches us what Jesus actually said about being His disciple and challenges us to step out in faith to do what Jesus has commanded. One of the challenges for me in this Radical experiment is to give some of my time this year to making the gospel known in a context outside my own city. This year I was challenged to go with a group of men to Colombia on a mission trip. I truly experienced the work of God's spirit during this challenge...I had to step out in faith and just do it. This was not like me... I like to stay home in my comfort zone. Platt also lists some of the other challenges that are to be done in a one year commitment for example; to pray for the entire world; read through the bible in one year; sacrifice your money for a specific purpose and commit your life to a multiplying community. I must confess I have not done all of these things but I am challenged to do some things this year which transforms our hearts to be more like Jesus disciples.

Your favorite flavor of ice cream?

I am a chocolate freak. My favorite: Cold Stone's cake batter ice cream with brownie mixed in and hot fudge over the top…….doesn't that sound yummy!

Your favorite food?

Barbecued ribs at Waterloo Restaurant in Waterloo, California...a small town outside of Stockton.

Your first job?

I worked at a Chevron gas station during summer break in high school.