The Story Behind Service

On November 28, 1994 I was a few days away from my 12th birthday. I was at a neighbor's house with a few friends and we were playing some video games. There was a pause in the video game and I turned to see what my friend was doing behind us. When I did there was a quick puff of air and instant pain. In an effort to shoot some air at me with his BB gun, my friend pulled the trigger and unloaded a bb and a pellet into my right eye. I lept onto the bed and soon did my best to run into the bathroom. I was instantly blind in my right eye and was rushed to the hospital. I would spend my 12th birthday there, going through a few surgeries that week, and several more in the months to follow. No progress. Loss of vision. Prosthesis.

Romans 8:28, He made good, even when I was a sinner. When I look back to those times I marvel at all of the help our family received. From receptionists who welcomed us for our daily office visits, to doctors who cancelled debts and were generous with their time, we were served well and unselfishly. I remember being laid up in the hospital, not being able to move, and having to be bathed by a nurse. I was totally helpless.

Moving deeper into my teen years I was able to understand exactly what those moments meant with regards to service and looking out for others, no matter what. As I came to know Jesus, I was impacted by the washing of the disciples feet in John 13. Service became part of who I was. By the time I traveled to Mexico as a senior in college, I was hooked and God began to unlock the Spiritual gift of service in me. I remember sitting on a hill in Mexico after our work week, feeling so complete after totally giving everything I had for five days.

And now, with 2Coats, service gets to be my job, my waking excitement, my life. I get to serve my wife and my kids, everyday plus the extra bonus to serve His children. I get to serve His people, those that are down, and out and lonely, and those that have everything this earth can offer but are missing out on His greatest gifts. I get to walk next to different people and hear their stories, let them know that someone is listening, and help them to be closer to Him. I want to share that love with you, that desire and passion I have with you.

I want to know why you serve. What is it inside of you that gets you moving in the morning to go wash someone else's dirty, mucky, calloused feet? I need to know how far you are willing to go, what risks you are willing to take. These are some of our defining moments in this organization.

It is important for you to know that I will give it all, and I mean everything, to serve the King and His people. I will do whatever it takes because I think that is what Jesus did, and that is what He taught his disciples to do. We are his disciples, we are his followers who have been commissioned to lay it all out for others. Reckless Obedience is what I am after, why I do what I do, and how I will lead this board.