This week, I had to have several difficult conversations in my ministry side gig. About two years ago, I became Co-Director of RuraLove , a ministry of the Goshen Baptist Association . When I was first asked to step up from volunteer to Co-Director, I was excited — excited to serve in a practical way and to have the freedom and encouragement to share Jesus with people. But over time, frustration crept in. Resentment followed. Two major challenges stood out: volunteer chemist

*This is not the actual desk. Recently, I was asked to substitute teach nearly every day at our local school. I had to decline several times, but finally, I caved on Friday. The lady who manages substitutes at the middle school asked me about Friday, and when I checked, there were only two spots left. I procrastinated as long as I could because, to be honest, I wasn’t excited about subbing for either class. Later, I checked again—and wouldn’t you know it, another absence pop

This past summer, I led a team of high school students from our church to Costa Rica on our first youth international mission trip . One of my favorite parts of international mission trips is the flight. Unlike most people, I love the airport and the plane ride—even the 12–14-hour ones ! Costa Rica was my fifth of six international mission trips, and I am always fascinated as we climb to cruising altitude. As we get further from the ground, we get closer to the clouds. And t

This is part six of my Panama reflection series . A little over three months ago, I was in Panama on a mission trip with a group of pastors from Virginia. This series of articles is my effort to share some of my experiences while also debriefing from my trip. Enjoy. These days, my church could better be described as the arm sling capital of Virginia. We have so many members who have had shoulder surgery and are in the big, immobilizing arm slings. Those injured cross many dif

Last week at my church, we held our Christmas program. We decided to do something a bit different this year. We had a dinner...