I can take on the unbreakable challenge because I am a team player who is also very competitive, and I am mentally and emotionally resilient and unafraid.
“Each man’s heart knows its own bitterness and no one else can share its joy.” I knew this proverb to be true before I had it tattooed on my back. Most people perceive events in life as good or bad, but I know that everything is a valuable. I don’t shy away from difficult challenges or tough conversations. I’ve been married for almost 7 years to my high school sweetheart; we have 3 boys (Isaiah-4, Noah-3, Jude-3 months). I appreciate the responsibility and weight of it all. Not many people my age have a family like I do, my perspective on life enables my ability to do this. My wife and I have been through a lot with each other and our kids (miscarriage, health issues), but the strength and resiliency I give and receive from them make it all worth it.
I am a productive team player who knows how to bring people together to accomplish goals. I am willing to sacrifice for the good of the team with my time and resources. I grew up in an Air Force family, we moved 10 times to 6 different states and 2 countries (Germany and South Korea). It was hard walking into a new school every year with zero friends. But today, I make friends easily in whatever group I’m in. I teach a class on Leadership and Management at a University as an Air Force ROTC instructor (2010-2012, East Carolina University), and I’ve been a “drill sergeant” (Flight Training Officer) at the Air Force ROTC brand of BASIC Training, in the summer of 2011. I am the service and outreach coordinator at Integrity Church in Greenville, NC. Last year I planned and led 40 people, over 160 man-hours to renovate a 100 year-old house currently used as a women’s half-way house (removed 1.5 tons of garbage). I planned and distributed care packages and meals to over 40 homeless/needy people.
I am very competitive. I’ve looked down the starting line to size up my competition and looked within my own heart at the burning fire, yearning to be tested. I have two brothers who are 1.5 years older and 1.5 years younger than me…I’m the middle child. We grew up in Boy Scouts in Utah and Germany. I’ve hiked the Rockies and the Swiss Alps. I have to be honest; I have everything I need for any backpacking excursion tucked away in my attic. Because of my life choices I haven’t had the opportunity to conquer the Appalachian Trail or Mount Rainier. But I find outlets for my sense of adventure when I can. In 2010, I ran the Air Force Marathon and finished at 4 hours 15 minutes. The first 20 miles were the best running I’ve ever done, I really enjoyed it. But those last few miles were hard because I let myself get dehydrated.
I am unafraid. I’m a Captain in the Air Force, I’ve been in for 4.5 years; I will be in for 1.5 more years. I spent the first 3 years as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer working with some of the most hard working rough necks in America today, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Soon I will separate from the Air Force in order to do what I believe I am meant to do. I am always looking for purpose and significance. I enjoy helping people overcome emotional, mental or physical stumbling blocks in life. Therefore, I’ve decided to pursue Christian ministry. I got my B.A. in Religious Studies at Penn State and received my M.A. in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty Theological Seminary. My next step is to raise support for myself in order to gain experience as an Associate Pastor at Rose City Church of Pasadena, CA. After that I plan on being a missionary to a community in the US, or maybe internationally. Most people tell me not to do this, citing any reason (i.e. the economy, the difficulty of support raising). I believe I can do this through determination and reliance on my God.
