Personal Summary
I grew up in the West Chicago area and spent the majority of my life there until I was out of high school. I attended Wheaton Academy, which exposed me to many of the “God lessons” that now lay the foundation for much of what I do. I began traveling with LeaderTreks as a senior in high school and have never really stopped. My first exposure to cross-cultural missions was with LeaderTreks in the Dominican Republic and it was a life changer. After graduating from North Central College and several overseas trips later, I made a permanent move to Cape Town, South Africa where I would later take over as the Director of Beth Uriel(a home for previously disadvantaged young men between the ages of 16 and 24 learn more>). I now partner with LeaderTreks in South Africa as a host sight for some of their overseas trips. In my years abroad, I have become convinced that God uses “experience” as one of the most persuasive tools for teaching ourselves and others about Himself and how He is at work in this world… which is why I am pumped about engaging people in the Gospel through what I do.
1) How did you become a Christian? By the absolute grace of God I was born into a Christian family. Again, by the grace of God, I was surrounded by an enormous amount of Christian support throughout the crucial development that takes place through the High School years. I can’t remember a time that I was separate from Him.
2) Why LeaderTreks? Because they changed my life. As mentioned above, I believe the Gospel of Christ is one that needs to be experienced… not just read about. LeaderTreks gives students just that-an opportunity to experience the Gospel, in all of its graces and challenges, in a way that very few organizations do.
3) What authors do you read? It is really hit or miss… right now I am reading several South African novels. I also enjoy anything by Brennan Manning or C.S. Lewis. I can’t forget Tolkein… I love the Lord of the Rings!!!
4)What has been your greatest leadership lesson? Leadership is a choice. I have learned that much of life (the good times and the bad) is a reflection of choices that we have made… leadership included. The influence we have on others, our attitude and the way others view us are all results of choices we have made at some point in time.
5)What is your passion? Ahhhh… so many! Justice. Reconciliation. Development. People. Restoration. Being a “do-er.” Living in such a way that my actions are a reflection of the Gospel that lives inside of me.
6)What person has influenced you the most? Impossible to choose one! I truly believe that I have relationships with some of the most amazing people in the world… they are all a very big part of who I am.
7)Family: My mom, older sister, Francee, younger brother, Andrew, and little sister, Ashley, have all set up shop in the Chicagoland area. (I am still busy working on them to join me in Cape Town!) Otherwise, I have 26 young men that make up my very large family over in South Africa!
