At its core my story isn't that different than any other Jesus-follower. Broken. Redeemed. Imperfect, but trying to live a transformed life in gratefulness to the Redeemer. I grew up going to a little country church in a tiny farming community of less than 500 people in southeastern Idaho. At the time the area was predominantly comprised (as in 80-90%) of people from another faith. I went to high school a few towns over, and in my graduating class of 250 I knew of maybe two or three others who were believers. Though I believe I came to a saving faith while a boy and was regularly involved in church through my youth, it wasn't until my high school years that I came to take my Christian beliefs seriously. All of my friends had release-time classes where they had the opportunity to explore their beliefs. I came to realize that they could defend their positions far more effectively than I could defend mine. With guidance from my pastor and quite a bit of reading, my convictions strengthened as I compared my friends' faith to Biblical Christianity. That exploration of faith continued into my college years at Utah State University in northern Utah with great encouragement from an amazing group of friends and a mentor I found through Cru (then Campus Crusade for Christ). For the first time, I was around a large group of peers (ok it was only about 50, but it seemed large to me) who were excited about Jesus, actively lived out their faith, actually read their Bibles, and wanted to share God's grace with others. It was powerfully transformative to know that people like this really existed! And, they were just regular folks who struggled and succeeded just like any others. After my sophomore year, I went on a mission project to one of our national parks. There, my mentor for the summer introduced me to Christian apologetics through a cassette tape (yes, I'm that old) of a famous Christian speaker. My life was changed. You mean Christians could actually live our their faith, read their Bibles, share God's grace with others, be regular people, AND be intellectually thoughtful and rational?!? Amazing! I have been an apologetics junkie ever since. I began college as a Pre-Med major. Biology fascinated me. Still does. However, came from a strong musical background and played trombone in about every ensemble I could. At some point early in my sophomore year, the chemistry book flew across the dorm room one too many times, and my heavy involvement as a musician became far more satisfying. I made the decision to switch my major to Music with the goal of teaching in college. I never "heard" from God that this was what I was supposed to do. That would have been nice, but it didn't happen. Music ended up being just as hard and took up just as much time, if not more. Once in a while a doubt would creep up. Did I REALLY make the right decision? Is it REALLY possible to make a living in the arts? The doubts seemed to always brush up against the fact that I sincerely enjoyed (most) of my music studies. I slowly started to understand God was leading me to a career path, not through a "calling," but through a gifting. That gifting took me to a masters degree at Notre Dame, a doctorate at the University of Kentucky, and my first job at Fort Hays State in Kansas. During that time I married the most amazing wife God ever created, and we had three wonderful children (one now graduated from college, one just about to graduate, and one finishing up high school before joining the military). Doors opened up to return to teach at Utah State after 18 years away. It was a blessing to be sure, especially since my wife is also from Idaho and an Aggie. We've now spent 10 years back "home." We love the beautiful valley we live in, are grateful to be close to family, enjoy what we are doing most days (my wife, Elizabeth, is a kindergarten teacher), and are happy to serve in a growing local church. The reality is that there are notable challenges being evangelical Christians in this part of the world, not to mention teaching music at University and kindergarten in the public schools. The hours are long. The evenings and weekends are often taken up with concerts and school events. There are many ways we can choose to see ourselves once again as on the outside looking in. Too often, I let myself go there. However, God is faithful. We know that, if we make ourselves available, God will encourage us and use us in ways we could never have imagined. In some ways, due to shifts in the area's predominant faith and the cultural moment our nation is in, it is easier than ever to have spiritual conversations. In other ways it is harder than ever to help people understand the distinctives of Biblical Christianity. What I am finding these days is that people are growing tired of society's shifting sands of truth. They are weary of having to find "truth" in themselves. They are cynical about the façads we erect to tell the world we are ok trying to figure out life and make meaning on our own. Solid ground, something that doesn't change, a system that is rooted in structure, reality, and history. Life as it really is. That is what people are after. That is what Jesus offers.