Lisa and I are very excited to be here at FPC. Beginning at our initial visit we have felt very warmly welcomed. Even our first day here in Fresno we were so thankful to have smiling faces greet us at the airport and walk into our new home with a well stocked fridge and pantry. The house was even decorated for Christmas! It blew us away to the point of tears. We know there are many who put forth effort to get us here and many have given gift cards, hugs, handshakes, and words of encouragement. From both of us we wish to say thank you! We have felt very loved even though you know very little about us.
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In case you missed the question and answer session on December 12th during the adult education hour, here is a short introduction to Lisa and me.
We both grew up in Pittsburgh, PA attending the same large non-denominational church. We knew of each other but our paths did not cross until much later.
After I graduated from Geneva College in 2004, I worked for the CCO at Kent State University in Ohio. The Coalition for Christian Outreach staff and events had a great impact upon my life in college and I was glad to give away what I had received as a student to students at KSU. During my five years on staff, I partnered with Habitat for Humanity and assisted in building/remodeling eleven houses for families in need. It was also a great opportunity to share the Gospel with students as there was an easy connection between the nails of a house and the nails of the cross.
Transiting out of the CCO, I sojourned to Guinea Bissau in West Africa to discern a call to full time mission work. In my 11 months there I taught English and did discipleship with some of the nationals.
Strongly sensing a call to pastoral ministry, I went to seminary at Trinity School for Ministry in Pittsburgh, PA. It was during my first semester working part time and going to school that I started a Bible study. After being reacquainted and sharing a heart for the Gospel, Lisa became my co-leader as she cared for the women while I cared for the men of the group. After lots of talk about the Bible and plenty of prayer together we came to a place of deep friendship, love, and care for each other. I married Lisa early July of 2013 and we lived in student housing at the seminary until I graduated in 2015.
It was from May 2015 until Dec 1, 2016 that the Lord put us in a place of waiting. Not to say we just sat around all day. During this time Lisa finished up her Masters in elementary education from Liberty University and I began working at Memorial Park Presbyterian Church as their sound technician. Some of those days were very difficult as we wondered at times if the Lord had forgotten us. Yet there were moments of hope like Lisa’s graduation from Liberty University, watching a few friends and family members get married, meeting Pastor Jeremy at General Assembly in June of 2016, and finding truly my theological home in reformed theology and a presbyterian form of church government.
God’s hand was always with us and we now look back and praise God for the many ways he was working quietly yet still very powerfully in our lives. We look forward to the coming year as I grow into the Community Growth Director Position and this spring come before the Presbytery of the Pacific for ordination. I now join the Psalmist in saying, “For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.” Ps. 92:4
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