Ministry Work

2006-present: Pastor of Staunton Mennonite Church
2004-2005: Interim Associate Pastor of Smithville Mennonite
2003-2004: Intern at Sharon Mennonite

Interests

I enjoy working with people, seeing people's lives changed for the better, and aligning my goals with the workings of the Holy Spirit.

Calling

I had never considered a life of ministry until I was heading into my senior year of college. The previous year I had gone on a mission trip to Azerbaijan and I had the opportunity to share about my trip one Sunday morning at church. Months later a woman commented to me, "Kevin, when you were speaking a couple months ago about your trip, I really thought to myself that you would make a good pastor." Well I had mixed feelings about this. The next six months were a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. One day I knew I was called to be a pastor. The next day I was wondering why anyone would want to be a pastor. But all along that still small voice remained with me and got louder and louder. The following school year I had the opportunity to serve as a pastoral intern at Sharon Mennonite Church. This was a year spent testing the waters, and the waters were affirming. I followed this internship up with a one year interim Associate role at Smithville Mennonite. Again, the waters were affirming and the waves were moving me toward Harrisonburg.

Ideal Ministry

My ideal situation would be a place where I was not needed. I would love to be in a place where people believe that it isn't the pastor's role to do evangelism or visitation. I would love to be in a place where I am not viewed as the educated pastor who is the sole source of knowlege of God but instead that we learned from one another.

EMS Comments

EMS has been a place where I have learned what it means to foster real relationships while the student body, faculty, and staff all join together working toward a common goal.

Favorite Course

I hate to admit it, but perhaps Christian Tradition was my favorite course. The professors were great and we covered a lot of ground (almost 2,000 years worth). The assignments were creative and an environment for learning was evident in many different manifestations.

Thoughts for Someone in My Position

Three years have flown by for me. If I could do it all again I would. No matter why you chose to attend Seminary, it must begin as a faithful response to God.

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