In an ideal scenario, the next church I serve as senior pastor will be the church where I spend the next 30 years of my ministry.

I’m not looking for just a job—I’m looking for a place to put down roots, a church where my family can grow, and a city where we can make a lasting impact for the gospel of Jesus Christ. My heart is not to bounce from church to church, but to commit to a congregation, build a thriving church community, and see long-term transformation in people’s lives.

My mission is simple: reach as many lost people as possible and help believers live the life God intends for them through the finished work of Jesus Christ. I believe that kind of impact happens over decades, not just years—and that’s exactly the kind of commitment I’m bringing into this next season of ministry.

I typically spend anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes with the Lord every morning. This time includes Bible reading, prayer, and worship—all of which help me start my day aligned with God’s presence.

When it comes to Bible reading, my time can range from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how deep I’m diving into the Word that day. I don’t rush through it—I engage with Scripture in a way that fuels both my personal growth and my ministry.

Prayer is also a vital part of my mornings. I typically spend 10 to 30 minutes in focused prayer, depending on the day. To stay intentional, I work through a prayer guide that helps me track specific things I’m praying for—whether it’s personal, ministry-related, or interceding for others.

Finally, I end my time with worship. Sometimes it’s just one song, and sometimes it turns into an extended moment in the Lord’s presence. Worship helps me transition from devotion to the rest of my day, keeping my heart and mind centered on Him.

This daily rhythm is my foundation—it keeps me spiritually sharp, connected to God, and ready to lead with clarity and conviction.

Years ago, an older minister told me something that has shaped my entire approach to pastoral care:

"The job of a pastor is not to know everyone, but to make sure that everyone is known."

That wisdom has stuck with me, and over the years, I’ve put a considerable amount of energy into ensuring that people in the church are accounted for and cared for. But pastoral care is never a one-man or one-woman job—it’s a team effort.

Because of that, I have a strong tendency to develop strategies that ensure people aren’t slipping through the cracks. I focus on key data points, such as:

• Who is consistently attending and who hasn’t been around for a while?

• Who hasn’t served on a team recently?

• Are there patterns that indicate someone may need pastoral support?

Beyond the systems, I believe in personal connection. I regularly:

• Send private messages throughout the week to check in on people.

• Drop handwritten cards in the mail to encourage and uplift.

• Create intentional touchpoints to make sure people feel valued and cared for.

At the heart of it, my approach is simple: pastoral care isn’t just about being available—it’s about being intentional. I don’t assume people will reach out when they need help. Instead, I work to build a process and a culture where people are known, supported, and spiritually cared for.

It might surprise you to know that I actually wanted to go to college—and not just college, but all the way through the doctoral level. That was my plan when I was in high school.

But when I was 16 years old, while attending an Assemblies of God youth convention, I heard from the Lord very clearly: Do not go to college. Interestingly, I wasn’t in a service when this happened—I was simply walking the perimeter of the building when I sensed the Lord speaking to me. I took note of it, and later that same day, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I’ve always considered that moment a confirmation of His direction for my life.

That said, I haven’t rejected education. I am a lifelong learner, always reading, researching, and seeking knowledge. I have a considerable theological library, and I have also completed all coursework required for ordination with the Assemblies of God.

So, while I would have loved the experience of going to college (and I still think about it from time to time), I always come back to that clear directive from the Lord—and I choose to obey.

Ashleigh is a powerful asset in ministry and has played a significant role in every church we’ve served. At one point, she helped oversee 300 volunteers in a church of 900 people—which means she was instrumental in getting over 30% of the congregation actively involved in ministry. That’s no small feat, and it speaks to her leadership, organization, and ability to mobilize people for Kingdom work.

That said, Ashleigh and I have never operated in a co-pastor model, and we do not envision a senior pastorate where she serves as a co-pastor. I will be the senior pastor of the church, responsible for casting vision, leading the church, and overseeing its administration.

Ashleigh will absolutely be involved in ministry—likely at a high level—but her role will be supportive and complementary, not executive. She will continue to serve in ways that align with her strengths and passions, but the leadership and direction of the church will rest on me as the senior pastor.

That being said, I am theologically egalitarian in alignment with the General Council of the Assemblies of God. This is not a doctrinal declaration—it’s simply the way Ashleigh and I have found we function best within our unique callings.