I loved doing for others what had been done for me. I loved using ordinary means like studying the Bible, planning events, and teaching leadership to challenge students toward the extraordinary. me opportunities to grow. They lit a fire in me that shaped my career and ministry aspirations going forward. ORDINARY GROWTH After I graduated, those aspirations pushed me to Washington, D.C. I worked in the U.S. Senate and for a major think tank, The American Enterprise Institute. God used that time to show me career insights and ministry passions. My Cedarville education prepared me for success and stirred my love for Christ and the Gospel. However, my most profound discovery in D.C. was a deepening love for the local church. I was blessed to be a member for several years at Capitol Hill Baptist Church. Mentors in the church shaped my growth through seemingly simple acts like regularly taking me to lunch and coffee. To this day, I still remember lessons learned through these ordinary meetings. My work with policy quickly helped me realize that I wanted to serve people more than I cared about particular bills and laws. In God’s providence, I was given opportunities to direct college student intern programs for my senator and at AEI, and that revealed my love for working with university students. In 2004, I returned to Cedarville University as a resident director for four years and oversaw student leaders for five years after that. I loved doing for others what had been done for me. I loved using ordinary means like studying the Bible, planning events, and teaching leadership to challenge students toward the extraordinary. During this time, I was extremely blessed by God to meet the love of my life, Clara, who became my wife in 2011. 19
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