Position
Minister to Adults
Verse
“Therefore, since we have been surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”
-Hebrews 12:1-2
Info
Born: May 30 in Birmingham, AL
Married: March 12, 2002 to Jennifer
Children: Riley, Nate
Education: B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Alabama, pursuing a Masters of Divinity in Theology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Siblings: Jill
Hero: “Hero” is a strong word, but I’m really impressed with Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, Charles Spurgeon, Martin Lloyd-Jones…old school guys who really set the bar in preaching and pastoring, Erwin McManus for making an ancient message accessible to a new generation, my dad (John McGuirk) who gave me my values and character…and Joey Chestnut, the reigning champion of the International Federation of Competitive Eating. Any guy who can eat 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes, and 103 Krystal hamburgers in 8 minutes commands my respect and yours too.
Hobbies & activities: I love watching college football, playing golf, listening to/playing music, reading, and hanging out with my family and friends.
Favorite music: I was a big fan of the Seattle alternative scene from the 90’s (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins), but now I’m more into singer/songwriter stuff. I like any good music that has thoughtful lyrics or good melody. And, of course, Britney Spears.
Favorite movies: Shawshank Redemption, Tombstone, The Matrix Movies (yes, I like more than just the first one), Tommy Boy, Gladiator, Braveheart
Favorite Starbucks drink: Grande Mocha Latte
Life Story
I’m your typical church kid that grew up going every time the doors were open, and even a lot of times that they weren’t. At age 10, I heard an evangelist one Sunday night give his dissertation on how hot Hell is. Not wanting to burn forever, I went forward at the end of the service and told the youth minister that I wanted to go to heaven.
For the next few years, I lived your typical pre-teen/middle school existence. At age 14, I was at a youth ministry program, and was asked to be on a panel discussion about our faith. A youth worker asked me if I was “saved”, and I said “yes.” He asked me, “but how do you know?”…and that sent me into a tailspin of doubt because I couldn’t answer that question.
For the next five years, I lived a dual life of looking like I had it together spiritually on the outside, while doubting everything about my faith on the inside. Shortly after I graduated high school, the tension between the two broke, and I began living on the outside like I felt on the inside. Those next few months, I chased everything I could to try and make me feel good about the choices I had made. After continuing to feel miserable, I finally sat down with my Bible and prayed: “God, I’m going to throw out everything I’ve ever thought or believed about you, and I’m going to see what the Bible says about you. And if you are who you say you are, then I’ll follow you as hard as I can. But, if you’re not, then I’m going to live life for myself.”
Over the next six months, God revealed Himself in as real of a way as I have ever experienced. From that point on, I committed myself to following Jesus Christ regardless of the cost to me personally. It has consistently been the best decision I have ever made.
When I was a teenager, I would pray, “God, please don’t let my life be boring.” While sometimes I almost regret praying that, God has answered that prayer. I am thrilled to serve Him in ministry, and wouldn’t have it any other way.
In college, I became a worship leader for a youth and college ministry, and also for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on campus at the University of Alabama. It was there that I met the head majorette, Jennifer Carmichael, and I knew that there would never be another woman for me. We married in March of 2002, and now have two sons, Riley (almost 4) and Nate (brand new). She is my partner in ministry and shares in our family’s call to serve Christ.
Sensing a Call
As an engineering student in college, all I ever wanted to do was to be good at my job. I had a little musical talent, and was soon asked to begin leading worship at a church and for FCA. Through that, I formed a band called Consumed where we ultimately spent our weekends and summers traveling to play concerts and to lead worship. The more I did ministry, the more I wanted to do it.
My junior year of school, I was waist-deep in engineering projects which I continued to enjoy. For one particular project, we were trying to figure out how to make roofing shingles more efficiently. I woke up one morning and had an epiphany that I would never enjoy making shingles faster as much as I enjoyed leading people to Christ and teaching the Bible. From then, I told Christ that if he wanted me to enter the ministry I would.
By the last semester of my senior year, I knew that God was calling me into the ministry. I felt this so much that without having a clue what I would do, I refused to interview for engineering jobs. I graduated in May of 2001 still waiting on God to show me what to do. In July, I was offered my first full-time ministry position, and I haven’t looked back since.
Vision
Being brand new on staff here at First Hattiesburg, it’s hard to be specific about our vision, but in general terms it’s pretty simple. We want to create a ministry that helps people do two things: 1) Love Christ as hard as they can, and 2) Love others as hard as they can.
The core values of First Hattiesburg are the same core values that our Singles and Young Families ministries will share and live out. We’ll study God’s Word together, live in community together, worship together, serve together, and share Christ with others in ways that are genuine, authentic, and effective. We’ll be an example to Hattiesburg and to the world in showing what followers of Christ look like!
