I am in the midst of what may be one of the craziest periods of my life. Those of you who follow this blog are aware that my wife and I are expecting our first child. The due date was April 9th, so we are eagerly awaiting her arrival at any minute. This is something that I am absolutely thrilled about and really looking forward to. It is also something that has kept us very busy, even in simply trying to get prepared. (Hence the decrease in frequency in posting.)

There is another transition that is not as important or significant as having your first child, but in any other season of my life would have center stage. After three wonderful years of ministry with the people of Lamont United Methodist Church, Melissa and I are leaving. I have been wrestling with and praying about a calling to return to academia. I applied to Southern Methodist University’s PhD program and was admitted. As a result, we will be moving to Dallas, TX in June and I will begin work on my PhD in the fall. I will be studying with Dr. Ted Campbell and Dr. Elaine Heath at SMU. My concentration will be the History of the Christian Tradition with an emphasis on Wesley Studies. My ultimate hope is to teach at the seminary level and pastor future pastors during their time in seminary.

It will be very difficult to leave Lamont. Melissa and I will really miss the wonderful people there. But I am also looking forward to beginning PhD work and immersing myself in Wesley Studies. I covet you prayers as we look to this new phase of our lives (both having a child and beginning a PhD).