- How have you been described by others?
I’ve been described as outdoorsy, empathetic, creative, curious and loyal.
I love to be outside. I love sports. And I’m always looking for what’s a round the next corner.. always wondering what more there is to discover – in both people and places. And mostly, I love my wife and kids.
- How you would describe your sphere of influence?
My current sphere of influence is at the church where I serve. Sammamish Presbyterian Church. I also have a lot of contact from previous ministries at a large church in Seattle – many who are former college students I ministered to. As well as relationships I made along the way in my work with a intl. Non-profit called Children of the nations. As well as neighbors and friends here in Redmond, WA.
- What fuels your leadership?
Those who are living lives they shouldn’t have to. I’ve been deeply influenced by times spent in the DR, Haiti, and other places in the world. As well as by relationships with people of color here in the states. I have a heart for making things right and see the Gospel as the best way to do that.
- What is the pressing question that you’re asking?
How? Especially now? How do I invite people into Gospel shaped justice, especially as I step out of church leadership in the next month and look for a career change.
- Why Journey of Hope? And why now?
I did Global Immersion and saw the spark that it lit under leaders at the church I was at. I’ve seen people follow the see, immerse, contend, restore, pattern in life changing ways that has them really leaning into to seeing the Gospel be boldly applied in a number of contexts. I want to learn how to guide people towards similar experiences. Ones that push them to risk comfort and step curiously and courageously into chaos, so that lives can be changed.
4 comments
Brandon, I am struck by many ways in which your descriptors are similar to my social location, including love of outdoors, creativity, family, the Presbyterian world, and your apparent itchiness to expand and engage with those outside your place of origin. I would love to hear more about how your experiences in the DR and Haiti inform your vision for “Gospel shaped justice” and what it looks like to engage with those living lives they don’t have to? I want you to unpack that more in this journey. I really look forward to walking this journey alongside you.
Lin, thanks! And I’m super interested in your world over there in Spokane. I’m poised to leave my position at my church in the end of March and have thought a lot about being a chaplain. Would love ot hear more about that road and what you love about it!
I am struck by the phrasing of “those who are living lives they shouldn’t have to” as I spend many days with people who are living very hard lives and they shouldn’t have to. There is an element of acknowledging that the struggle they are in is not their fault, which I think is very important. They SHOULN’T have to live this way.
They definitely shouldn’t!