My Spiritual Journey 

The story of faith, questioning, discovery, and calling that shaped my path into ministry. 

Faith has never been a straight line in my life. Like many people, my journey with God has included moments of certainty, seasons of doubt, and a few unexpected turns that changed everything.

Early Faith 

I grew up in a Pentecostal church in a small rural farming community in southern Illinois. Church was a central part of my early life, and it was where I first learned about prayer, community, and the presence of God. But as I grew older, I began to struggle with messages I heard from the church about who belonged and who did not. 

Leaving the Church 

When it became clear that LGBTQ people were not truly welcome, I wrestled deeply with what that meant for both my faith and my identity. Eventually, as a teenager, I made the difficult decision to walk away from the church.

Searching for a Spiritual Home 

For nearly thirty years, I searched for a spiritual home. I visited different churches and explored different expressions of faith, hoping to find a place where the love of Christ and genuine welcome could exist together. At times that search was hopeful. At other times it was discouraging. Like many people who step away from the church, I carried both a longing for faith and a hesitation about returning.

Returning to Faith 

Then came a moment that changed the direction of my life.

During a particularly difficult season, I had been unemployed for more than two years. When I finally found work, it quickly became clear that the environment was not healthy. After only seven weeks, I walked out of that job without another opportunity waiting. I sat alone in my car in the parking lot and wondered what I had just done.

In that quiet moment, I prayed a simple and honest prayer: “God, what have I done?”

Instead of fear, I felt an unexpected calm. It was as if God was gently reminding me that my life was not defined by that moment and that my story was still unfolding. That moment became the beginning of a journey that slowly led me back to Christ and, eventually, into ministry.

A Call to Ministry 

Today I serve as a pastor, teacher, speaker, and writer. My ministry is shaped by the belief that faith should never be about exclusion or perfection. It is about grace, transformation, and belonging. I often describe my calling with four simple words: Speeching, Teaching, Preaching, and Reaching. Through communication, learning, proclamation, and service, my hope is to help others discover the same grace and welcome that I spent so many years searching for.

If my story resonates with you, I hope it reminds you of something important: God is never finished with our stories. Even in the moments when we feel lost, uncertain, or far from faith, the possibility of grace and new beginnings is always waiting. 

A Sermon Inspired by This Journey

This sermon reflects on the spiritual journey that shaped my faith and ministry. It explores the challenges, questions, and moments of grace that ultimately led me back to the church and into a calling to serve.