I embarked on my Fuller journey in the summer of 2005. At
the time I had been teaching high school Bible at Cedar Park Christian School,
and thought that propping up my education with a few extra Bible credits would
keep me sharp for the ministry that I felt called to for the years to
come. One class turned into two, and by Winter 2008 I realized that I
enjoyed my Fuller experience so much that it was time to explore completing a
degree. My classes and professors had been doing more than
informing me, they had been encouraging me – encouraging me to think, to
wrestle with the material and what I believed, and they genuinely cared about
how what I was learning would touch down in my ministry. Final
projects became projects that I could actually use in the path of ministry that
I was on, and by Winter 2012 I had completed more than a degree. Yes, I
had the information that I needed to help me continue in ministry,
but more importantly I had developed a mind which encouraged trajectory.
I was encouraged to think beyond who I was, or the situation I had always
known, and had begun to dream bigger. How could God use me more
effectively? How could I engage people in a different way, in order to
intersect them with Jesus? What began in Summer 2005 as a chance to gain
information, and show people that I knew what I was talking about,
developed into a hunger and a passion for engaging in practical ministry.
I want to be a part of what Christ is doing on earth today and in the future.
Today, I am the Family Life Pastor at Bethany Christian
Assembly in Everett, WA (a church that runs nearly 2,000 on any given weekend,
and over 3,500 call home). My area of responsibility includes administrating
the incredible staff that runs our “All Stars’ Kids Ministries” (ages birth
through 4th grade), as well as connecting with the largest demographic
that make up our church, the married adults with children (ages 20 to
40). As a result of my teaching and administrative background –
cultivated by Fuller – we have plans to adjust my portfolio to lead the
Discipleship component of our BCA ministry.
The cost of my Fuller education pales in comparison to the
platform which it has offered me to succeed in ministry. It has
taken time and dedication, and has required sacrifice of myself and my
family, but the opportunities that we now feel so blessed with make us thankful
for the brief period in which I was able to be encouraged at Fuller NW.
I am forever grateful for the opportunities provided for me and my family.