Our Story
I was raised attending a small Baptist church in Clayton, Ohio, where I came to faith in Christ as a high school sophomore. However, as a young believer, I experienced very little intentional discipleship—a reality that deeply shaped my heart and is the main reason serving middle schoolers is so personal to me today.
Sara and I met back in 2005 in Iowa City and were married in July 2011. Sara grew up in Rochester, Minnesota (and every so often, you’ll still hear her Minnesotan accent slip out!). Over the years, we’ve truly become best friends. After we were married, Sara—who was raised Catholic—began attending a non-denominational church with me. It was during that season that the Lord opened her eyes to the beauty of the gospel: that salvation isn't about our good works, but about God’s grace poured out through Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection.
We now live in Celina, have been attending The Trails since June 2021, and have served in Family Ministry together since 2023, where we currently co-lead Trails 56. We have two daughters: Katie (13), a former 56er herself, and Rachel (4), who you’ll occasionally spot making a guest appearance in 56 when babysitting falls through! In our free time, Sara loves a good cup of coffee, while I’m usually on the hunt for great Tex-Mex and brisket.
Our Hope for Trails 56
Our hope for Trails 56 is first and foremost that it is a place where we make much of Jesus and the gospel. Second, our prayer is that these students experience rich, intentional discipleship—learning what it means to follow Christ both in their own lives and together as a community. Finally, we pray that parents and families feel genuinely equipped and encouraged to walk with the Lord together in their homes.