“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” —C.S. Lewis

I grew up in a Christian home with parents who loved the Lord and instilled a passion for the local church, the Bible, and Kingdom work. As a child in Sunday school, I used to randomly “teach” the lesson along with the teacher by acting the stories she would share. The stories of the Bible captivated me. My three brothers and I were involved in various functions at our church: RA’s, children’s choirs, Vacation Bible School, youth camp, retreats, and mission trips. Gratefully, I do not ever recall when the local church was not influential in my life.

As great as my involvement in church was, I was still not a Christian. This changed in the summer of 1991 when I made the most critical decision of my life at the age of six. I realized there is a difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Jesus. I didn’t have all the answers to faith questions, I couldn’t tell you what many of the verses in the book of Revelation meant, and I couldn’t tell you 15 Bible verses from memory. However, I realized I needed a Savior. I was a sinner and knew only Jesus could save me. The greatest story ever told is the Good News of Jesus Christ—by His death and resurrection and His grace through faith alone, one could be made new. I remember my conversion experience like it was yesterday. My mom shared these words with me, “Daniel, this is the most important decision that you will ever make in your entire life.”

Since then, my life has been full of ups and downs. I have had days of deep faith and days of great fear and doubt. I have had times of uncertainty and even a lack of faith. Through it all, Jesus has been my rock.

During my senior year of high school, the Lord began to pull at my heart to prepare me to enter full-time ministry. Throughout a series of conversations and experiences, I started walking the path to Gospel ministry. Along the way, I met a woman that changed my life. She would end up becoming my forever in the summer of 2007. Emily is my wife, best friend, soul mate, and life-long ministry partner. My prayer is that I will always love and lead her well.

After I graduated college in 2008, we moved to Western Kentucky to begin what has now become a decade-plus journey in two different states, leading the next generation of Jesus followers in the context of the local church. To this day, we still have a deep passion for the next generation and the people who invest in them. It is a joy to see the greatest story ever told change lives. 

In 2014, God blessed us with a beautiful little girl, Madelyn, and in 2017, a full-of-energy boy, Caleb. Our prayer for Madelyn and Caleb is three-fold: their lips would proclaim the glory of God, their hands are about the work of God, and their feet would walk in truth.

I currently serve in full-time ministry as a copywriter with The Gideons International in Nashville, Tennessee, and on the pastoral staff at The Church @ New Hope Hermitage in Hermitage, Tennessee.