I exist to curate meaningful connection through caring development with a restful presence. I have over 33 years of experience as a pastor, spiritual leader and people developer at several leading churches, Thomas Road Church, Christ Fellowship, Saddleback Church, Northpoint Community Church and 12Stone Church.
As a social entrepreneur, I have traveled extensively both internationally and across the US training leaders around personal and professional growth and spiritual formation.
I am the founder of Dads on Tap, a non-profit gathering thousands of dads annually in breweries across the community to help craft better dads. I am also the Spiritual Father Program Director at Man in the Mirror Ministries leading the vision toward helping men grow up and show up through intergenerational mentoring. I am the host of 2 monthly podcasts, The Dads on Tap podcast and The Spiritual Fathers podcast and the author of a brand-new book called A Dad’s Bible Journey: The Torah.
I have been married to my bride Natalie for almost 24 years, I have a son in college and a daughter in high school. I call Buford, GA my home, Go Wolves, where I enjoy cooking, making leather goods, finding the perfect cup of coffee and discovering the next great book to read.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve been married to my bride Natalie for 24 years. My 19 year old son Silas is a freshman at Samford University and my 14 year old daughter Sadie is a freshman at Buford HS – Go Wolves!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a social entrepreneur who has primarily been a pastor at some great churches like Saddleback Church, North Point Community Church and 12Stone Church. I now lead my own local non-profit called Dads on Tap and work for a national men’s ministry called Man in the Mirror.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Bare Bones and Oy for sure!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived here for almost 12 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Bob Downs
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Spain with my wife because she has been there and loves the country but I have never been.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Greatest Showman and Natalie and I enjoy any of the holiday baking competition shows on Food Network
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Most of our greatest struggles and challenges come from gaps that we are completely unaware of. Do your best to become aware of those gaps in your life and then work toward healing and growth in those areas.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
To sell 1 million copies of my books for dads
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
U2
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I do leather work as a hobby so I love the Bona Allen leather history!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Tom Izzo, basketball coach of the Michigan State Spartans. I love his coaching philosophy and his old-school mentality and I would love to buy him a steak at Bare Bones!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
How well our schools support our students academic pursuits and how well our families support the school activities!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Living right here in Buford continuing to write and helping men grow up and show up well here in our great community!
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have traveled to every state int the continental United States – just missing Alaska and Hawaii now!
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Any place with a beautiful mountain view but especially Highlands, North Carolina which is Natalie and my favorite spot to go together!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
October – I love the fall season! Christmas. Any day my wife, son, daughter and I get to be together in the same place.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Waking up in the morning.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Jesus
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffee and bourbon
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
family, friends, Buford