Q: What drew you to become a part of YRGC?

A: I desire to see the love of our Heavenly Father embraced by the broken and fatherless.

Q: What are your future Goals for YRGC?

A: One of our goals at Youth Reach this year is to build a new staff house and resident house.  We are also looking for new opportunities for the young men we serve to grow in their relationship with the Lord, gain valuable skills and serve others. This year we will take our first hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail with our residents. It will be a challenging and life-changing 35-mile hike with strong men of faith cheering and leading them on along the way. In addition, we are hoping to take each resident on a few mission trips, both domestically and internationally. This is a big undertaking but one we believe will allow our young men to see the needs around the world and understand that they can be a part of the solution.

Q: When did you first discover a love for working with young adults? 

A: I first enjoyed the experience of a Christian summer camp at about age 11 or 12. From there, the Lord has been faithful to guide me from one organization to another, helping to develop my passion for seeing young adults pursue a relationship with Jesus. I’ve learned about how to reach and minister to young adults throughout the process which has brought me to where I serve today at Youth-Reach Gulf Coast.

Q: What types of education, training and experiences have prepared you for working with YRGC?

A: I started working with young adults at age 18. Since then, I have worked in a sexual abuse intervention home, youth groups, therapeutic group homes, and a special needs home for adults. Crisis counseling and business management were my focuses in college.

Q: Where are you from?

A: I was born in St. Petersburg, Florida but grew up in the mountains of North Carolina.

Q: How did you meet your wife, Summer?

A: Summer and I were the best man and maid of honor in a wedding for some of our best friends. We met the night before the wedding and married a year later.

Q: How many children do you have and what are their names?

A: Summer and I have three children, two girls and a boy. Their names are Elle, Sage and Benaiah.

Q: What is your favorite scripture and why?

A: Galatians 4:4-7: “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.”

Q: What are your top three favorite worship songs right now?

A: Anything from my best dude, Cory Asbury. Reckless Love, Endless Alleluia and Whisper from Jason Upton.

Q: What advice would you give a young adult who feels like there’s no hope for a better tomorrow? 

A: I would say, “Surrender”. The Lord is seeking those who are willing to say, “Yes.” It seems frightening when we give up our right to control. Giving that up has often ended in hurt for the young men we serve. So, trusting that He won’t hurt but heal is a tough sell. There are plenty of Christians living the same way. That’s not just for the unbeliever. I don’t think the Lord needs our agenda but He wants to put His will as the chief objective in our hearts. However, we must first say “yes” through surrender. In that is ALL hope.