I have always loved to help people with God’s Word. I envisioned this to be preaching and teaching, but over time the counselling side of ministry became a larger part of God’s plan for me. Because of the seminary training I received in biblical counselling, I was asked to counsel more and more people in my church and community. To my surprise, the Lord seems to have gifted me for counselling. I have learned so much walking alongside of people—God’s Word has come alive to me in ways I never could have imagined!

I enjoy the sense of discovery as I learn about the problems people are facing, what the Lord has done for them so far, and what are the promises and challenges of scripture that God wants them to take to heart. The best moments in counselling are when people have come “unstuck” and are moving forward in life with thoughtfulness, energy, and joy. God can do more in a single week than I could ever do in a year of my own efforts!

I’ve been intentional at cultivating habits that allow me to rest not only from physical toil and occupational toil, but the mental toil that can be the hardest to bear. This has included time with God and his Word, cultivating good friendships, singing and playing guitar (poorly), and getting outside into my Father’s world.

I love working with all kinds of people, but I’ve found I particularly enjoy working with young adults, especially young men, who are struggling to “learn the ropes” of life and relationships. Young people don’t always have someone to guide them through a disorienting world and through the inward turmoil they experience as they encounter it. I also love helping people learn an approach to life that is intentional, engaged, and prepared to stand firm under spiritual attack or temptation.

I have practices of reading the Bible and praying daily, so that I can know what God says and speak back to him from my own heart. As a pastor, I get to spend a lot of time during the week with my church family, who have been an encouragement to me.

I dabble in a lot of things. When I’m in between injury or illness, I keep in shape through trail running, hiking, and lifting weights. I love being out in the forest and enjoying the view from a summit. Paddleboarding is also a fun activity I’ve taken up. I love inviting friends over for board games, especially when I get to introduce new games to people. I enjoy reading for pleasure and falling asleep to a good book.

We all have difficulties in our personal relationships, and I’m no different. Some of the confusion, anger, and shame I’ve experienced have been the means by which God has matured me. I love working with people to prepare for difficult relationships and how they can be ready to respond with wisdom and grace.

I write out my anxieties as questions that I’m asking God, so that I’m not carrying them around in my head. Getting outside into my Father’s world helps me remember that I am smaller than I thought, yet deeply loved. I have a few good friends I can talk through deep life struggles with. I set aside at least one day a week for Sabbath, in which I rest from the burden of my weekly work.

Many people begin counselling disoriented, longing for a road map for the entire journey ahead. The truth is, we would be overwhelmed to see the entire road ahead all at once. I remind them of the promise, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). Most of us wish we had a high-beam LED car headlight to light up the entire length of our journey. But the “lamp” and the “light” in this verse would be a little flame, just enough to light the next step—and the light goes forward with us as we walk. I invite people simply to take one step at a time in the light the Lord gives us, and let’s see where his right pathways take us (Psalm 23:3).