Hey, how's it going? I'm Justin.
Whether you're a pastor, a church leader considering partnering together, or an every day disciple maker, I'm glad you're here!
In 1999, I became a disciple of Jesus. My life has never been the same. Since then, I've been deeply committed to becoming like Him. I make disciple making cultures, and disciple chains (disciples who make other disciples). Then I make another and another. Truth is, I don't do it, but God uses me to do it. There's nothing special about me, but by His grace He's chosen to use me. The following is one of my life verses because I work hard, yet I realize that even my effort is God's grace to me:
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, but His grace to me was not without effect. No, I work harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." -1 Corinthians 15:10
A Look Into My Life
I'm married to Kristen. She's an amazing woman! We partner together in life and ministry. Her focus now is caring and discipling our four children (3 daughters, 1 son). Our marriage works because we're both committed to following Jesus and making disciple chains.
Our kids keep us hopping. I often find myself marveling at how unconditional a child's love is. One moment they may be furious and yelling at you and then minutes later they're laughing, hugging you, and telling you how much they love you. Like most parents, we're constantly rebalancing home and work life, including them in the mission and letting them be kids, as well as teaching and encouraging...lots of disciple making parallels!
Personally, I unwind by playing sports (mainly basketball these days), writing, reading, and watching the Reds, Buckeyes, and Bengals!
Work History
Since 2000, I've worked for The Navigators. I began with a team of campus ministry planters in Amarillo, Texas. In two years, our team began Navigator ministries at West Texas A & M, Amarillo College, and Eastern New Mexico University. Those ministries continue to thrive today.
From there I went to direct an existing campus ministry at Miami University. After five years, it had doubled in size, and more importantly, established a disciple making culture. The numerical growth was a symptom of the culture.
The next three years I pioneered a non-traditional ministry among Buddhist students at Purdue University. In addition, I began discipling a local pastor and helped him with the initial phases of growing a disciple making culture.
From there my family and I moved to Southeast Asia. Our work there was focused on outreach and developing initial converts in an area that was less than one percent Christian. Our work there was difficult and stretched us to new limits. We grew tremendously in faith and dependence as we saw God take up residence in the hearts of Buddhists.
In 2014 we moved to Dayton, Ohio and I began helping pastors and church leaders make disciples with the ultimate goal of growing intentional disciple making cultures within the local church. My heart bleeds for the unreached. I believe that raising up missionaries happens most effectively through healthy disciple making church cultures.
Perhaps there's a way I could help establish a disciple making culture at your church or small group. Don't hesitate to contact me!