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How would you describe your
ministry?
Coming along side people on their
spiritual journeys and helping guide
them into a growing gospel dependency.
(On my business cards it just says
Spiritual Director. I asked Dave to
change my title so that I could carry
on conversations with people normally
turned off by the title “pastor” because
people seemed to have a difficult time
getting past their own perceptions
of what that title means. Instead of
shutting down conversations, the title “spiritual director” actually opens conversations.)
What inspired you to take on this responsibility?
I don’t know if it was an inspiration. I didn’t look to be a pastor at Grace. I came here in 1992 after
dealing with a lot of problems in my own life. Dave Desforge took me under his wing and introduced me
to what it means to live out of the Gospel at a time when there were about 20 people at Grace. In 1994
Dave and the elders asked me to come on staff and I kept saying I was not qualified pastor material—actually disqualified because of my sinful past. But Dave said my disqualification was my qualification.
In September 1994 through their pursuit and encouragement I acknowledged my call into ministry.
What is there about it that gets your motor running?
One of my heart cries has always been that I’ve needed spiritual dads and there aren’t a lot of them
out there. So what gets my motor running is to, myself, be a spiritual father to numerous people—
whether they are Christians or not. My heart of hearts is to be a safe place for people to be real and
to show them the awesome good news of the gospel. I want people to meet the real Jesus, without
all of the cultural and traditional misgivings that tend to obscure the simplicity and centrality of the raw
gospel.
What person has had the most influence on your life?
Honestly, besides Jesus (and I do not mean that lightly – I am astonished at the way Jesus loves – he
is my greatest example – I long to love like he loves), there have been several, not the least of which
would be Dave Desforge because he has a way of meeting me where I am honestly, humbly and takes
me to Jesus, time after time.
Who are your heroes?
My (adopted) son Jesse, because he exemplifies courage, steadfastness,
loyalty, and faith even in his weakness. Also, my dad and mom, because they
have been, and continue to be quiet champions and anchors for me.
What are you reading?
Usually between four and ten books simultaneously. I have a short attention
span so I enjoy the variety. Right now: “A Million Little Pieces,” by James Frey;
“The Most Real Being,” by J. A. Crabtree;"“The Importance of Being Foolish,”
by Brennan Manning; "Soul Survivor,” by Philip Yancey; “Rumors of Another
World,” also by Yancey; “In Other Words,” by Anthony DeCurtis; “Scandalous
Freedom,” by Steve Brown; “Survivor,” by Chuck Palahniuk; “The Ragamuffin
Gospel,” new visual edition, by Brennan Manning; and I’m reading through the
International Standard Version of the Bible.
What do you do to unwind and de-stress?
I enjoy going for walks in downtown Asheville and in the national forests—my
favorite “destressing place” is Montreat. I often retreat there to spend alone
time with DAD. And I like sitting at a coffee shop and reading or listening to
music, and hanging out with a close friend.
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