Formation is the slow and gracious work of God shaping a servant for His purposes. My training has taken place in classrooms and crisis deployments, in churches and communities, and in seasons of quiet study and intense responsibility. Each step has formed the theological, pastoral, and civic lens through which I teach, lead, and serve.
This page gathers those shaping influences into one place. My prayer is that the Lord uses this formation to help me steward His truth with clarity, integrity, and faithfulness.
Selah.
1. Theological and Biblical Formation
My deepest formation has come through studying the Word of God. I have been shaped by programs that anchored me in Scripture, sharpened my interpretive skill, and deepened my understanding of the biblical story from Creation to New Creation.
Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies
Redemption Seminary
Mesa, AZ | 2024-TBD
This degree has been the academic backbone of my theological training. Through courses in Old Testament, New Testament, biblical interpretation, hermeneutics, theology, and spiritual formation, I have learned to handle Scripture with accuracy, humility, and reverence. Guided by seasoned scholars and pastors, my studies here have shaped my teaching voice and strengthened my commitment to biblical clarity.
AWKNG School of Theology
- Certificate of Biblical Studies (2024)
- Certification of Biblical History (2025)
- Certification of Biblical Doctrine (2025)
The AWKNG School of Theology, founded by the late Dr. Michael Heiser, awakened in me a deeper appreciation for the Bible’s ancient worldview. These courses brought together supernatural context, biblical theology, historical background, and doctrinal clarity. They sharpened my understanding of the divine council worldview, the patterns of rebellion and restoration, and the unity of Scripture’s story.
Colson Fellows Program
Biblical Worldview and Cultural Engagement
City Church, Corpus Christi Cohort | 2022 to 2023
The Colson Fellows Program transformed how I think about culture, truth, and discipleship. Through a year of reading, discussion, and reflection, I gained a coherent worldview framework shaped by Scripture. The program strengthened my ability to engage complex cultural issues with both biblical clarity and Christlike compassion. My Personal Mission Plan for Shoe Leather Gospel was born out of this formative year.
2. Academic and Public Service Formation
God has shaped my calling not only through theology, but also through the study of leadership, public service, and nonprofit management. These programs taught me how to steward influence with integrity and how to serve communities with wisdom and compassion.
Masters in Public Service and Administration
Texas A&M University Bush School of Government & Public Service
College Station, TX | 2023-2025
My studies at the Bush School have been a profound gift. With a focus on nonprofit management, leadership, policy analysis, and decision making in complex environments, this program has given me a stronger foundation for public theology and civic engagement. The curriculum emphasized applied leadership and culminated in a capstone project with a governmental partner. The Bush School sharpened my ability to integrate faith, ethics, and public service.
Leadership and Professional Certificates
Texas A&M University
- Certification in Nonprofit Management, The Bush School of Government & Public Service (2024)
- The Dean’s Leadership Certificate, The Bush School of Government & Public Service (2025)
- Medial of Excellence, The Bush School of Government & Public Service (2025)
- Grad Aggies Professional Development Certificates (2024)
- Graduate Mentoring Academy Certificate (2025)
- Nu Lambda Mu International Graduate Honor Society (2025)
These recognitions mark seasons of study, mentorship, and growth. They remind me that leadership is a stewardship that must be continually refined for the good of others.
3. Ministry and Crisis Leadership Formation
Some of my most significant formation occurred far from the classroom. Disaster relief deployments, chaplaincy training, and crisis response environments taught me lessons I could not have learned anywhere else.
Austin Disaster Relief Network (ADRN)
- Critical Incident Stress Management (2015)
- Chaplaincy Academy (2016)
- Community Emergency Response Team (2016)
- Psychological First Aid (2016)
Serving with ADRN placed me in the middle of some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives. These experiences taught me the ministry of presence, the urgency of compassion, and the importance of resilience. They shaped my understanding of servant leadership and pastoral care.
FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Training
- Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS 100
- Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response, ICS-200
- An Introduction to the National Incident Management System, ICS-700
- An Introduction National Response Framework, ICS-800
- Intermediate Incident Command System for Expanding Incidents, ICS-300
- Advanced Incident Command System, Command and General Staff, ICS 400
These courses strengthened my ability to serve in high-pressure environments, coordinate teams, make rapid decisions, and support communities with clarity and calm.
4. Foundational Preparation
Bachelor of Music in Performance
Morehead State University
Morehead, KY | 1986-1990
Before ministry and public service, music formed in me the disciplines of excellence, perseverance, and creativity. Performing as a musician taught me to listen closely, work diligently, and cultivate craft. Those lessons remain with me today as I teach, write, and lead.
5. Ongoing Growth and Lifelong Learning
Formation is never finished. I continue to study Scripture, theology, leadership, and culture. I learn from mentors, fellow students, and the community of believers God has placed around me. Each book, course, conversation, and challenge shapes me a little more into the servant God is calling me to become.
Closing Reflection
My formation has not been a single event. It has been a long and gracious journey where God used professors, pastors, leaders, teammates, and crises to shape me into a teacher and servant-leader. My prayer is that all this training helps me handle His Word faithfully, serve His people well, and walk in a manner worthy of the calling I have received.
Walk it out.
