My vision for this church is that we become a people who grow in our love for God and the people around us. We are a community driven by a deep love for the gospel and a strong desire to see it worked out in community. (Education: B.A. Palm Beach Atlantic University, M.Div Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) (Influences: John Piper, D.A. Carson, John Sailhamer, Tim Keller & The Acts 29 Network)

Interests: Reading, listening, and drinking most things. The only exceptions are romance novels, radio pop-country music, and beer with the word "light" in it. Enjoys: Listening to Sufjan Stevens while lying on the floor in front of a fire in the dead of winter with a tepid cup of coffee nearby. Also listening to The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds, while driving through the park on a sunny day in August. Most of all I enjoy spending time with my wife Nicole, anywhere, anytime, as long as she is there. Family: I am the son of a quietly intense man who loves his wife and family. I am the son of a self-sacrificing mother. I am the brother of a passionate sister and hilarious brother. I am the husband of a beautiful and inspiring woman.

The vision for my ministry is to connect the church body into smaller Gospel communities throughout the week for discipleship, care, and mission. Discipleship is the way the groups grow in their love, knowledge, and experience of God through sharing Scripture and their lives. The Family Groups care for each others' spiritual, physical and relational needs by knowing what’s going on in each others' lives and doing something about it. Family Groups are also the means of accomplishing the mission of God by reaching in the lives of people and places around them.

My vision for my ministry is to create a worship experience through music with the intent to glorify the name of Jesus Christ, and to lead people in a response to who God is and the character He has shown us through Jesus Christ by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Although music is a form of worship it is often viewed as the primary and sometimes only form of worship. ** If worship is music and music is worship then you are worshiping music. Throughout the book of Psalms you hear of singing and making music to the name of the LORD as a means of offering worship. The question is “What are we offering?” Music in and of itself is NOT worship. Music with the intent of glorifying the name of Jesus and bowing your heart to Creator God in awe and reverence of who He is and what He has done for us IS worship. So in a sense acceptable worship springs forth from the heart, not a song. 

We come to the throne to offer all that we are and the best that we have through the response of music.

Art and music are vital elements in the Church body because they take us emotionally to places that are unreachable in any other way.  This type of ministry is designed to lead the people of God to a new and better vision of Him, to a more intimate conversation with Him, and to a fuller passion for Him using a medium that is already so visual, intimate, and passionate.  While teaching and study are very necessary in the Church, it is important that we also recognize God as the Creator, the Author of a great story.  As a music and arts leader at Metro, I hope to be a part of creating an environment that allows us to understand Him and connect with Him on that level.

Our children are a precious part of our church community. In children's ministy we desire to teach children from the youngest age all about Jesus, and about the Gospel. We teach them God's love the best we can by loving them, praying for them, encouraging them, and being as much a part of their lives as we can. We want to stand side by side with parents, as a family, to raise the children in our lives to trust that they are loved by a mighty God. We work hard to create an enviroment where children and parents feel safe, and can grow.

My vision for the business and administration team is that we would organize people and processes in order to efficiently and effectively share the gospel with those who don’t know Christ. We strive to maintain accurate and trustworthy business, financial and organizational records enabling the church to make sound future decisions and protecting the church from false accusations so that the gospel can continue to go out from those gathered as Youngstown Metro Church.

What is hospitality? The dictionary defines it as "the friendly reception and treatment of guest and strangers." I think hospitality is more than that. I think hospitality is about making guests and strangers feel like family. I would like to see our ministry grow to something more than just meals after church on Sundays. Someone walking into our door needs to feel at home when they sit down and eat with us, like they are family.  I would also like to see our ministry really reach out to the community surrounding Youngstown Metro Church. I'm so excited about the projects in the works to our downstairs. I hope that we are able to utilize the space we've been given to provide this atmosphere and give us the tools to provide for the Youngstown community.

My vision for this ministry is to make things happen. Our leaders are incredible visionaries, and my job is to help bring their visions to life in our community. I use the gifts that God has given me to assist our ministry leaders with all the little details so that they can focus on using the gifts that God has given them. Ultimately, together, we "make things happen" for His glory.