I grew up in Virginia, spending many years in Williamsburg—elementary and middle school, then returning for college at William & Mary. In 1994, I moved to Texas and spent ten years working with students at The University of Texas at Austin. A lot of that time was spent in coffee shops, talking about life’s hard questions and what it means to have a relationship with God. My goal was to develop leaders who would multiply themselves into others and to build multi-ethnic communities that revealed the reconciling power of the Gospel.

In 2004, my family and I moved to the North Shore of Boston so I could complete a Master of Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. During seminary, we worshiped at Christ Episcopal Church in Hamilton-Wenham and fell in love with the three streams of historic Anglicanism: evangelical, charismatic, and catholic.

In 2006, we moved to Arlington, Virginia, where I began serving as an Assistant Rector at The Falls Church. In 2008, a group of friends and I began praying about starting a new church. That dream became a reality on January 25, 2009, when Restoration launched its first service.

Laurel and I were married in 1997. We have four kids: Macrae (’01), married to Annie; Bennett (’04); Helen (’07); and James (’10). As a family, we love biking, camping, going to the beach, reading stories, and playing games.

Random Affections

The cycling community in and around Arlington. Hammerfest at Hains Point. Tiki. 5Bs. Tomahawk Breakfast. The Old Anglers Lollipop. Thursday Hills. Racing up Courthouse. Such a great group of people—always open for someone to take a pull.

Early mornings. A hot cup of coffee in hand, staring out the window, praying through the day, talking myself into exercise.

The people of Restoration—affectionately called “Restos.” It’s a humbling joy to be their pastor.

Ben & Jerry’s “Chubby Hubby” ice cream. Pretzels. Peanut butter. Chocolate. Frozen. Are you kidding me?

Longhorn football. Some years you have Colt McCoy, some years you have Case. Enjoying the resurgence and looking forward to Arch! Austin was a fun place to spend my twenties.

Glacier National Park. It took my breath away and hasn’t given it back. When your first backpacking trip is that beautiful… well, it’s just not fair to all the other trails. I can’t wait to go back.

Jimmy Mills, Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby. Especially when they’re on stage together. Honestly, I’ve had the same playlist for 20 years. I never get tired of it—but trust me, you don’t want me to be the DJ on a road trip.

Eugene Peterson. He convinced me that God is always moving towards me first—and He never forgets to hold the universe together. Peterson’s idea of the pastor as “harpooner” changed my life:

To insure the greatest efficiency in the dart, the harpooners of this world must start to their feet out of idleness, and not out of toil.”

All of my bookshelves are alphabetized by author. Interpret what that says about me however you like.

Life always feels full—but never boring. I always have time for a conversation about Jesus, hard questions, heartache, and hope. That’s what I do. I hope I get to have one with you.

At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him.

But we see Him…” (Hebrews 2:8–9)

That’s it. That’s my theological lens for understanding this life. We endure to the end, in the power of the Spirit, waiting for Jesus to make all things new— to the glory of God.