Obedience in the Liminal Space

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1:17

June  2026

Memorial Day has come and gone and summer has officially begun. For me, new seasons invoke reflection and invite anticipation. They are opportune times to simultaneously think back with gratitude on the Lord’s providential goodness and wait with joyful expectation for His welcome into the work He’s already doing. And I say this even as I see, in Bob Marley’s words, “so much trouble in the world.”

Ever since the COVID-19 Pandemic we continue to experience a distressing fracturing of societal cohesion alongside a dismantling of communal respect or care for neighbors. Sadly, I confess that I have not escaped the callousness that can form when we miss the admonition of Philippians chapter 2 and think more highly of ourselves instead of looking first to the needs of others. Although self protection is part of God’s design for our physical persistence, I cannot biblically justify a protection that leads me to isolate myself from the pain and injustice others endure—whether those others are in my home or on the other side of the world. Thankfully Matthew 5’s Sermon on the Mount unapologetically yet compassionately redirects and recalibrates my heart to Christ’s heart for others

So, with a spirit of righteous indignation and in response to the bevy of corrupt governmental and business decisions that seem intent on injuring poor and systemically marginalized communities, I am orienting God’s call on my life into three main areas of global service: faith based education, spiritual formation/discipleship and courageous leadership. My prayer is that God will use my desire to holistically develop future leaders along the long arc of morality that bends toward justice for His glory and for the good of society.

As a person who loves and follows Jesus Christ, my confidence remains rooted in God’s cosmic sovereignty and eternal purposes that exceed my comprehension. Thankfully friends, I am not so disheartened by the state of the world to miss God’s work in innumerable pockets of hope and joy. For example, you can click HERE to learn more about what my brother Shane and I experienced in our return to Teen for Christ Kenya’s annual Converge conference. This year we ministered in Butere and were keenly reminded that we have a blessed “oblitunity” (obligation + opportunity) to develop and celebrate young people every chance we get. 

As my liminal season of discernment slowly transitions to more vocational clarity, I am eternally grateful for the luxury of time, space and wise counsel I have been afforded. Indeed, being unmarried and child-free has its perks!

My Summer of 2026 is packed with many happenings. Some adventures are personal including a family reunion, milestone birthdays for my parents and marriage celebrations for loved ones. Other adventures happily and graciously align with my passion points:

Faith Based Education:

• Thankfully my completed feasibility study report for an Independent Center for Faith Based Higher Education was well received and I will continue my sector work with the Lilly Network and other national and global funders. 

• This work will take me to California, DC and a handful of other domestic locations towards the fall. I am enjoying this opportunity even more than I anticipated. 

• As part of my own commitment to serve this sector globally, I will travel to Accra, Ghana to participate in Lausanne’s Workplace Forum for Africa and the Middle East (August 6-9th)

Spiritual Formation/Discipleship:

• I continue to be mentored and coached while I also mentor and coach. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ requires both being poured into AND pouring out; I actively pursue these time-intensive, but deeply rewarding relationships worldwide as growing “more and more” in Christian love and fellowship is a powerful admonition Paul made in Thessalonians. 

• Earlier this year I attended the International Maxwell Conference and formally entered the John Maxwell Leadership Certification program.  As I determine how to leverage Maxwell’s fantastic tools, I anticipate more coaching and training in my future.

• I am fully convinced that believers have not sufficiently capitalized on how Spirit-guided relationships can equip us to serve with supernatural impact. I strive to walk in step with the Spirit to the best of my ability.

Courageous Leadership:

• I continue to serve on Wheaton’s board of trustees and remain genuinely appreciative of this complicated and deeply humbling aspect of kingdom service. 

• My Murdock Charitable Trust Senior Fellow contribution is adapting to include community development and leadership formation work and I’m keen to learn more in this new-to-me space. 

• Since my last update, I have been appointed to the Empowerment Institute for Michigan (TEIFM) as an Advisory Board Director and trainer. How my engagement with TEIFM came to be is a fun story for perhaps a different blog entry or a coffee conversation.

• I’m happy to report that my writing and book work continue. I’m exploring themes of righteous anger, global lessons on cultural competency, and resilient leadership. Fret not—I’m not writing about these all at once, but these topics keep me motivated to wake up each day eager to love and serve well.

For those who have subscribed to or somehow found this blog, I thank you for your interest and pray that my words will inspire you to enthusiastically follow God’s call on your life wherever it leads. For those who have committed to pray for me on a regular basis, I thank you for your love and faithfulness; your encouragement and curiosity inspire me in ways I can’t fully express. For those who require some form of proof of what has actually transpired, I aim to be consistent with posting pictures; hope springs eternal as I aim to find a rhythm for this blog.

May summer bring fun, rest, reflection & great memory-making for you & yours!