The most important things about me are my faith and my family. I was born in California, but did most of my growing up in Georgia. I love reading, playing lacrosse and beach volleyball, anything Middle Earth related, and cooking. After a life-changing experience in Italy, I am now on a life-long quest to find the world’s best cannoli.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Me and my wife Cassidy have been married for seven and a half years. She’s the brains of the operation,
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a student pastor at 12Stone Church, and plan to do full time ministry for as long as I can. I love teaching and helping others, and in my role I get to teach students the very things that changed my life for the better at their age.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Rico’s is an easy one for me. When I’m feeling healthy the strawberry balsamic salad with some blackened chicken always hits the spot, and you can never go wrong with the royal rooster, not to mention the specials! I also recently discovered Off the Rails, and it’s my new favorite lunch spot at the moment.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived and worked in Buford for the past eight years.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
It would probably be Kyoto, Japan. Me and my wife love to travel, and we’ve seen a lot of cool places in Europe, but we haven’t made it over to Asia yet. There’s something about historic Japanese culture that’s very interesting to me, and I would LOVE to try the food.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I’ve read all things Tolkien and love the Lord of the Rings world, so I’m watching Rings of Power right now and enjoying it. I know it’s getting some hate from diehard fans, but I like to enjoy things for what they are, and I think the show is fun to watch even if it’s not fully accurate.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
As a Christian pastor I won’t say the obvious haha. I’d tell people to find a friend they can be fully honest with who doesn’t indulge your self-deceptions or justifications. My biggest mistakes have happened because I had areas in my life that I had deceived myself and justified behaviors in isolation that a good friend would have helped call out.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to write a book someday that helps people and contributes meaningfully and positively to public dialogue about the Christian faith.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I usually find myself turning on Needtobreathe, but I also love some old Johnny Cash or Bob Dylan.
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?
I would love to have lunch with Brandon Sanderson. He’s one of my favorite fantasy authors, is a machine as far is his book output, and seems like an all around interesting and pleasant person. I’d take him to Tani Thai for the drunken noodles with chicken.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the atmosphere of Buford. It’s great for families, feels smaller than it is, and the downtown area is quaint/nostalgic while also having plenty to do.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself having a couple of kids, finally finishing my master’s degree, and God-willing still pastoring at my local church.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I love to see historic churches and cathedrals when I travel, and my favorite so far is St. Matthias church in Budapest, Hungary.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
It’s a tie between Iceland and Kawai’i in Hawaii. There’s something about the geography of volcanic islands that just seems impossible, and you couldn’t go anywhere either of those places without seeing something absolutely stunning. If I had to pick it would be Iceland.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Favorite month is December because of the holidays, but my favorite actual holiday is Thanksgiving because of the food. My dad makes an Italian stuffing that will change your life. Best day is 2/26, my anniversary!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Traveling internationally. It teaches you so much, isn’t as expensive as people tend to think, and you get to try” unamericanized” versions of food.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
Definitely my wife. Our relationship has grown me up and inspired me in many ways.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of food cooking, hard to pick a specific one haha, and I love the smell of coffee with hazelnut.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Cassidy, safe, comfort