About

Vision 

In recent decades, sexuality has permeated every aspect of Western culture, and with it has come the belief that sexual identity is the essence of human identity. Meanwhile, the Church seems confused in how to respond, leaving many feeling lost and unequipped to address the shifting cultural tides that are sweeping away a generation. The Church has not only forgotten the beauty, power, and spiritual nature of our God-designed sexuality, but we’ve lost sight of how it ultimately points to worship, our deepest desires, and an eternal reality, not a temporal one. God places the symbolism of sexuality and marriage at the center of His eternal plan, unveilved in Genesis all the way through Revelation, as He is redeeming and preparing a Bride for His son - a people that are eagerly awaiting His return, not only as Savior, but as their Bridegroom and King.  

In light of sexuality's eternal significance, the spiritual battle surrounding it becomes more clear.  In the Bible, the term porneia (πορνεία) is used as a broad term to describe all types of sexual immorality.  In today's hyper-sexualized society, there is a  “porneia” spirit blinding a generation in a fog of confusion and shame, not just in broader culture, but also in the Church. God is calling His people to come out of the fog.   As the porneia fog clears, a generation will see and behold Jesus, the one to which all our longings and desires, including our sexuality, ultimately point to. God is awakening His Church in this hour, redeeming sexuality and its eternal significance, and calling forth a generation that is fascinated with Jesus, being transformed into His image , and longing for His return.

Research & Teaching

In addition to the current research, the following are areas God has called me to engage in through prayer and teaching: 


Call to Research.mp4

Personal Call to Research 

Sexuality & culture.mp4

Sexuality & Flourishing of Humanity 

Beliefs 

Sexuality is a hot topic, and the cultural narratives surrounding it are complex and ever-changing. However, God's sacred design for sexuality is simple, as laid out in Genesis, reinforced through the Old Testament, re-established by Jesus, and evident through the natural world. My belief is that humans were made in the image of God as male or female (Gen 1:27), marriage is between a biological man and woman for life (Gen 2:24), and sexual activity is to be confined to marriage for the purpose of procreation (Gen 1:28). Further, sexuality and marriage are more than just temporal pleasures and realities, but are meant to point to eternal desires and an eternal reality, as they are ultimately about Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:32). 

While God's sacred design for sexuality is simple, since the Fall, cultural interpretation of sexual design and expression has become increasingly complex. Sexuality is now marked by individuals' ability to authentically express their sexual feelings and desires, and the responsibility of society and others to be accepting of that expression. God's simple and sacred design for sexuality in no way dismisses or negates the deeply personal sexual experiences, trauma, and struggles of individuals, both in and out of the Church.  However, the crux of the issue goes way beyond sexuality. When our individual feelings and experiences are incongruent with God's design - which one must conform? Are human experiences the deepest measure of truth, and therefore the most authentic reflection of our true identity?  Or, have our own desires and perspective been tainted by sin and, therefore, cannot be fully trusted? My belief is that, as humans, we must submit all of our desires and preferences to God's perfect plan, including in the realm of sexuality. As we do this, we find that His design is not a restriction to pleasure or authenticity, but actually the only path that leads to deep fulfillment, expression of our truest identity, and the flourishing of humanity. 

Calling 

When the topic of sexuality is broached in the Western Church, conversations often drift to the burning cultural issues of our day, whether it be homosexual relationships or gender identities. A number of theologians and researchers have done valuable work and provided guidance for the Church to engage in these cultural conversations, for which I am incredibly grateful. 

However, while these are critical issues, God has called me into a different conversation; specifically, with the Church and it's leaders. Prior to engaging in the cultural discourse, we must have a deep understanding of God's sacred design for sexuality and it's eternal signficance, as it reflects Christ and the Church. Further, when we engage or lead the next generation through the shifting cultural tides, but focus on the moral or behavioral aspects of sexuality, rather than God's sacred, good, and beautiful design, we add to the confusion and create a vacuum for shame. Broadly, I desire to call the Church to proactively engage the topic of sexuality, and to embrace the call to "disciple" our children in this arena rather than allowing the culture and its narratives to do so.  

While the "porneia" influence is multi-faceted, one of the most obvious manifestations raging in our culture is pornography. In my academic research, I specifically explore the spiritual roots of the phenomenon of pornography, which is one component of the "porneia fog" and one of the "golden calves" of our generation that has been an object of our misplaced worship and desire. While this issue is prevalent among both men and women, my focus is young Christian men, who are at the convergence of multiple high-risk factors related to pornography, and will be the next generation of spiritual fathers, husbands, and leaders in the Church. 

Story

My passion for the next generation was forged in Sierra Leone where I lived and worked with young men in a country recovering from the atrocities of civil war. After that season, I left an engineering career to invest in the next generation as an educator and youth leader, serving as high school teacher, principal, and missions' leader. In 2018, after 10+ years working in education, God gave me a new calling - to leave formal leadership roles and enter a wilderness season, rooting myself in the place of prayer/intercession, investing intentionally in family, and fully pressing into the convergence of sexuality, faith, and culture through Ph.D. research.  

 

Although seemingly disconnected, the convergence of these callings became clear. While understanding sexuality from an academic perspective is important, the breakthrough needed cannot be accomplished through human wisdom and strategy alone. It must be revealed, cultivated, and born in the place of prayer. There is a spiritual battle raging over the next generation, specifically in the realm of sexuality. The attack on the Imago Dei and God's design for sexuality has created a "porneia fog" of shame, confusion, and perversion, and is central to Satan’s attempt to take out a generation. God has burdened me to engage in the battle for a generation through academic research, teaching, and intercession, as He is calling them out of the “porneia” fog to behold Jesus, be transformed into His image, and long for His return. 

 

My wife, Candace, and I live in Colorado Springs, CO with our 5 children, where I am currently finishing my Ph.D. in ministry leadership, spending time in the local prayer room, and providing daily care for our five kids, including our two sons with degenerative genetic conditions.