I am the “Adventure Abbott” (minister) of the Northwest Abbey, a new faith community project using outdoor gravity sports like whitewater and downhill snow sports, as spiritual practice in and around McCall Idaho. I am also the minister of New Meadows United Methodist Church. Before moving northwest, I completed my M.Div. in Theology at Duke University focusing on sexuality in the Greco-Roman World and Methodism. I have always marched to the beat of my own drummer. At one point I thought that was something I need to overcome, but I believe I was wired this way for a reason. Racism (overt, subtle, and/or systemic), sexism, homophobia, environmental disregard, and greed are all in direct opposition to the what I believe the church should be.
A little about me. I was born in a small town in Appalachia (VA) and have lived in Appalachia three other times. However, I grew up near Miami and have also lived in east Tennessee, both Carolinas, Austin TX, Portland OR, Seattle WA, and more places totaling 13 cities/towns in 10 states. My background is in the arts, specifically music as I was a music production and business major in undergrad at the Florida State University. My fascination with the academy led me to go on to get a masters degree in counseling and higher education administration from Clemson University. After going through quarter-life crisis, I felt these urges pulling me to a life of ministry. The outdoors has been my escape, and recently I realized there was a way to use this passion vocationally.