In Mary Oliver’s poem, “The Journey”, she writes about a day where one awakens with a new sense of mission that will guide their life.  On that day, one begins to listen to a new voice and ceases to listen to the old voices that previously directed them.  This new voice is their own, the voice that “keeps them company as they stride deeper and deeper into the world…” (adapted from past tense). Teaching at Cornerstone University allows me to help students pursue their calling from God as I seek to cultivate an atmosphere conducive to listening, hearing, and affirming this new voice.  My training in education, spiritual formation, and creativity inform my teaching in the classroom as we embark on a creative process where we imagine exciting new possibilities for ministry.  What a gift!

Together, the students and I wrestle with the difficult questions of poverty and justice, love and mercy, as we work out our salvation and make connections with culture and our lives.  We also explain, evaluate, and apply theories and research findings to increase self-knowledge and our understanding of others.  My research interests include: prayer and creativity, personality and problem solving preferences, and education and creativity.  In addition to teaching in the classroom, I lead justice-focused and study abroad trips to Mexico, Israel, and Germany.

Before teaching at Cornerstone, I directed a High School Camp, taught Spanish in an urban Christian school and led several mission trips around the world. 

Outside of Cornerstone, I speak in a variety of different settings, consult, play sports, and create music. I also serve as a spiritual director, and I am an elder and participate on a worship advisory council at a local church.