For pastors and missionaries
If you're tired, you're not alone.
You may have been faithful for years. You may still love the people God gave you. And you may be quietly worn out, and afraid to say so.
Why I do this
I talk with pastors and missionaries in that place often. My goal is simple: to help you keep your faith whole through the hard seasons, not just keep your ministry running.
What I've learned
The Father's love is the foundation, not the reward
If your ministry rests on proving yourself, it will eventually crush you.
Presence comes before performance
Some of my most important years were spent in a prayer closet in Russia, singing loudly until the presence of God broke through the failure I felt.
A hard season is not always God's anger
Early on, I kept asking, "What have I done to make you so mad at me?" It turned out I was asking the wrong question.
My story, briefly
In 1999, at a conference in Russia, someone gave my wife and me a word of promotion that ended with a wine press: "the wine will be sweet."
The next six or seven years were the hardest of my life. I didn't love the word at the time. I now call those years the hardest and best of my life.
I came to faith at fifteen, spent ten years in Russia, and pastored in Kansas for nearly seventeen years before stepping down in 2025. More about me.
What I offer
I offer encouragement, prayer and wisdom, in three ways.
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A conversation
If you're a pastor or missionary who is tired, I'd be glad to talk and pray with you. I can meet in person in the Chattanooga area or by Zoom, as my schedule allows.
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Speaking
I'm available to speak at your event, church or retreat, and I pray about every invitation. If you're able to help with travel and housing, and an honorarium, I would be grateful.
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Resources
The sermons and written resources on this site are free to use. They cost time, energy and years of hard-won lessons, so please honor that.
A note on cost
I don't charge for meeting with leaders. I'm supported through Standing Stone Ministry, and that is what makes it possible. My time is limited, so I can't meet with everyone who asks, but I'll do my best to respond.
If you'd like to help along the way, you can give through Standing Stone Ministry.
Confidentiality
What you share with me stays with me. If you thank me, I may pass your kind words along to those who support my work, always without your name. The only exceptions are when the law requires me to report, such as suspected harm to a child, or when someone's life is in danger.