Fortunately, I discovered what real success is for me: being faithful to God and his plan for my life. My personality is wired to compete. I enjoy challenges. I used to feel like a failure when I didn’t get a higher score than my opponent. (I used to believe everyone was my opponent!) It’s been a long journey, but now I’ve discovered what real winning is with Cyndy, our kids, my career, and even how I play Monopoly.

Interestingly, when I jumped on the journey of character transformation and seeking true success, I didn’t lose my competitive desires, but I was no longer driven by them. Both psychology and Scripture tell us the order of success is BE —> DO —> WIN (or LEARN). We can’t do what we need to do unless we are who we need to be.

The BEING involves radical and continual transformation. For example, if I BECOME a golfer (with the mindset, the skills, and the emotional makeup developed from practice and coaching), I can play a solid round. If I try to DO golf without BECOMING a golfer, I might get lucky on a few swings, but most of the day will be a disaster. That’s true for parenting and building a multimillion-dollar business.

For me, BECOMING involved the core transformation of every part of me. I’m still growing. However, I’ve grown enough to see and care about Cyndy’s needs during Monopoly. I’ve also become less angry, sensitive, and needy of recognition. This (for me) is a journey with Jesus to become like him so that I can live the life he’s planned for me. That whole process involves effort covered with grace, so I’ve learned to find calm in my hustle and meaningful success in my calm (Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 11:28-30).

Don’t worry. If you’re not into faith things and you invite me to coach with you, I’ll not impose my faith on you. Because I’m becoming like Jesus, I respect where you are, care deeply about you, and want you to be known and loved. I have plenty of practical and psychological tools to empower and guide you to find purpose and success in your life.

If you are a spiritual person, we’ll consider the amazing insights about life from Scripture, and we can invite God into our coaching with spiritual direction.

My Primal Question is number 5, “Am I successful?” Like I said, I’ve competed my entire life. I’ve failed a lot; even when I succeeded, I’ve struggled to believe I’d done enough. The longing to win has threatened my joy forever. Gratefully, I’ve discovered what real success is and the resistance we all face. In Primal Questions lingo, I know my question is answered with a YES no matter what the next scorecard reads.

My experience has made me an expert at helping others succeed in their mission. I’m good at helping others feel safe and valued while launching them toward their purpose and passions. I can help you win, and that’s a huge win for me!

More than anything in the world, I want to guide people to meaningful and extravagant success in their unique dreams. And if you love God, then that’s the way to glorify him the most.

I thrive in quickly boosting your personal and professional growth so you can enjoy your life to the full.

I’m married to Cyndy. She’s beautiful, inside and out, and her love for me reminds me how good God is.

We have three fascinating kids who recently and successfully launched from the nest. They’ve found terrific people to marry them. We can’t find enough time together, but they make me a better person when we do.

I need to repeat this. My God-given purpose is to help others experience and share the incredible life planned for them. I’d be honored to be the guide on your side.

I have:

• a Ph.D. in New Testament studies (minors in preaching and church growth).

• an M.Div.BL (Masters of Divinity with Biblical Languages). 

• a B.A. in speech communication from the remarkable Baylor University. Sic ’em, Bears. 

• Certification as a Primal Questions Coach.

• Several scars that mark major lessons and transformations.

I’ve served as Lead Pastor at two creative and missional churches in Texas and Illinois. 

We live in Florida now.

I’ve been coached and mentored my entire adult life by Don Guthrie, an amazing man and pastor. He’s guided me in every major decision and elevated my faith and success. I’m grateful for the profound influence of Mike Foster, creator of the 7 Primal Questions framework, who has radically developed my coaching skills.

I’ve coached hundreds of growing Christians and leaders in the USA and abroad.

I’ve consulted with churches, non-profits, and small business leaders about leadership, strategy, mission, and discipleship.

I’ve published one book and a few articles and am working on more. I love to write. Cecil Murphy, one of the most prolific Christian writers of our time, has been my long-time writing coach. I’m blessed and grateful.

I still love my friends and family in my hometown of Springfield, Missouri.

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings. 

Most importantly, I long to serve you in the best ways I’ve been served: by loving you, believing in you, drawing the best out of you, and launching you into your mission in the world.