What has been one of the most defining ministry moments in your life?
2019 was a pretty defining moment for me, my family, and my ministry. My brother and sister-in-law were killed tragically on April 1st, walking down the road at the Outer Banks. Their two children, my niece and nephew, witnessed the entire accident.
It happened on the day of an ARC One Day Meetup my wife and I were attending with some of our team at Heights Church in Richmond, VA. We got the call from my dad and mom, who were also there at the accident, from the side of the road as he held my brother.
We were devastated, stunned, and in shock. Through all of this, it was our ARC family that held us together. Countless people, including Pastor Greg Surratt and Pastor Dino Rizzo, reached out, called us, and supported us. Other ARC pastors came and preached for us and cared for our family in the following weeks and months. We wouldn’t be standing today if it weren’t for our tribe.
My wife and I have become the guardians/parents of my niece and nephew; they moved in with us in June of 2019. It has been a difficult transition for them, for us, and our two children as well. There are a lot of days where we want to quit, but Jesus has been faithful, and our ARC family has been an immense support to us.
We really learned what it means to be part of a tribe that year. Now, more than ever before, we understand what it means to “not do ministry alone” and make sure you surround yourself with people who love and support you.
What is your church known for in your community?
We are known for the community partnerships we have started to form here. Whether it is purchasing a year’s supply of laundry detergent for our local homeless shelter, or providing Christmas for families through an organization that helps women and children coming out of abusive relationships, we are known for what happens outside our walls.
Choose one word to describe the story of your life or your church. Why?
Faithfulness.
My family and our church have experienced the faithfulness of Jesus, and the faithfulness of our people (our team, our ARC family), in a way that we never have before.
Is there anything else you want to share with us about your journey in ministry or where your church is today?
We just want to say how much we love and appreciate ARC. I will never be able to put into words what ARC means to our family. We wouldn’t be standing today with you!
Join us for ARC Conference this October, as we celebrate the stories that have made the past 20 years of ARC so special, and look forward to the many more yet to be told. Visit arcconference.com to register.
Your story is our story. We want to hear from you! Visit www.arcchurches.com/shareyourstory to share what God has done in you and your local church.