“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
When I first read this scripture in my teen years, I thought that it just about summed it all up for me and it became one of my favorite scriptures. I would like to share with you a bit about that life in Christ for the past 40+ years
I grew up in the Poynette area. My parents still own the farm I grew up on and I spend quite a bit of my time at the farm either visiting my parents, or enjoying the outdoors. After attending college in Michigan, God opened the doors for my wife Lisa and I to return to Wisconsin and I took a position with the School District of Poynette in 1989 where I continue to teach instrumental and general music in the middle school.
I came to know Christ at an early age. While attending a gospel concert with my parents, God spoke to my heart and I was compelled respond by accepting Christ as Savior. For the first time I had felt His call on my heart. God’s call is a feeling I have become quite familiar with through the years, as the Lord calls me to Himself time and again.
The most significant time of spiritual growth in my life would be the years I spent in Michigan going to college and being involved in music ministry at my church. God placed me under a gifted teaching pastor and also placed me in circumstances that forced me to really press in and listen to what God was wanting to teach me. Those years were very hard for me in many ways and they became very foundational to who I am today as a believer. Lisa and I were married in 1984 and she moved to Michigan with me, working full time to help me finish college. We had the opportunity to really grow together during that time. What I learned the most while in Michigan is that God is faithful and that He can be trusted with every aspect of our lives.
After we moved back to Wisconsin, God led us to become part of a faith community in Portage, Wisconsin. Lisa and I were involved at that church in many levels and aspects of ministry. During this time period, we were blessed with our two children, Rachel and Tom. After nearly 20 years, God quite unexpectedly called us out into a new chapter in our lives and our role in His church. We didn’t know were that was, exactly, but we both felt God’s leading. After visiting New Crossing Church for a couple of services, Lisa and I both quickly felt a peace that New Crossing was where He wanted us to be. The atmosphere, the mission, the message, and most importantly, the Spirit resonated strongly with what God had been speaking to our hearts.
New Crossing has been a wonderful blessing to Lisa and I and has been a living example of love, acceptance, and forgiveness. It is my sincere pleasure to serve the New Crossing community as one of the Elders.