I’m an Iowa kid who grew up in a great home. Both my parents were public school teachers and taught my brother and I the importance of family, character, and work ethic. Around middle school my parents led our family to start attending a church that taught the Bible, and that really fostered a genuine love for God. It was through that ministry that I grew to really understand the gospel and became more excited about a life fully committed to God. Out of high School I received a scholarship to play football at Arizona State University. It was a boyhood dream, however during that time God’s call on my life to go into full time ministry became stronger than my desire to play football. After my sophomore year, I transferred to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago to pursue being a Pastor. That journey has led me to different pastoral roles in Marathon Wi, Manchester IA, Gilbert AZ, and now Cedar Rapids IA. I joined Veritas in January of 2014, and it is such a joy to be a part of this church family.   

Serving God as a pastor has been an amazing privilege. I have gotten a front row seat to God’s work in so many people’s lives. I love teaching the Bible. The gospel is the greatest news ever. I love the local church. There is nothing like a group of people united in Christ and on mission together.  

So intertwined with my ministry is my family. I married the pastor's daughter, my high school sweetheart and best friend Marcy, and she has served alongside me in so many different ways, none greater than being an amazing wife and an incredible mom to our three kids, Moses, Johnnie, and Rudy. I love hanging out with my family, all things BBQ, and time fishing and camping with good friends in the boundary waters.

My hope is to help lead a group of people that are deeply in love with God, eachother, and fully embrace the adventure of living for God’s glory, showing the world that fullness of joy is found in Jesus.

I grew up a "good" kid in small-town South Carolina. My parents loved the Lord and took me to church regularly. I knew Bible answers and lived a biblically moral life. Unfortunately, I thought all those things made me right with God and better than everyone else living differently. At age 14, God drew me to himself, showed me my sinful pride, and humbled me before him beside my parents' bed following a revival service at our church. That night, I confessed my sins, received Christ's righteousness, and committed to following the Lord for the rest of my life. Eventually, as a senior in high school, that commitment would express itself into a calling to full-time vocational ministry.

Following college, I moved to Louisiana to complete my Masters of Divinity degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After one semester, I started serving on staff at The Chapel on the Campus in Baton Rouge, LA. It was there that I met and eventually married my wife Erica (in 2009). I served at that church for twelve years until helping plant a church just north of Atlanta, GA. Then, we were led to make the move to the Midwest and join the staff at Veritas in January 2019.

We became foster parents in 2014 and adoptive parents in 2017. We now have three boys, Jeremy, Amos, and Abel, and welcomed Eliza, our girl, into our family in 2022. 

Following Jesus has been an absolutely joyful journey! He's led me to satisfying waters, sustained me in hard seasons, and graciously turned his face to me each step of the way. I can't imagine life without Jesus, and I have a passion to see neighbors, the neglected, and the nations experience the same thing in their lives for the glory of God!

When not at Veritas, I love playing and watching all sports, especially golf, cheering on my Clemson Tigers, drinking good southern sweet tea, and watching The Shawshank Redemption anytime it's on TV. These days, I'm spending time hanging out with Erica, playing sports and building Lego creations with our kids, working on house projects (that I'm unskilled to complete), and begging God to redeem my bad parenting for his glory. 

I grew up in Cedar Rapids. My family went to church on Christmas & Easter and the occasional Sunday. When I was in middle school our neighbors invited me to attend student ministry on a Wednesday night. When I started attending I felt something was different about the people there. I felt accepted and loved for who I was. I continued to get involved in the church and the family that invited me paid for me to attend the student ministry camp that year. On that trip, I heard the gospel clearly for the first time and understood what Jesus did for me by his ultimate death on the cross and that my worth and identity are not rooted in what I do – but in what he already did for me on the cross.

At Veritas I am the Operations Director- providing financial and operational oversight to help Veritas be fiscally responsible and operationally productive. I have the privilege of providing leadership to our Finance, Facilities, Cafe, Human Resources, Tech, and Communication functions. It's a real privilege to be able to come to work each day and serve the church in this way. 

I enjoy road biking, vacationing with my wife to new places (and taking family trips with our son). An ideal Friday would be spent either on a long bike ride (30+ miles) or working on a house project. I love to learn new things. 

My wife and I were married in 2013. We have one son, Noah who was born in 2016. We love having people over to our house. We both enjoy road biking together. We knew each other for many years before we "met" on Ragbrai in 2011. 

I am from Cedar Falls, Iowa, and went to the University of Iowa (molecular biology). I joined the Veritas staff team in 2022 after being on staff at another Salt Network church (Candeo) since 2015.

I grew up in a great home and was involved in church, and youth group as a child. I heard the gospel many times but God finally opened my eyes to its reality and my need for saving grace when I was in high school.

My wife (Emily) and I were high school sweethearts and now we have five kids (Madi, Eliott, Taylor, Lyla, and Ethan). We enjoy sports and the outdoors as a family, as well as trying to make normal and mundane activities fun.

I like the outdoors (hunting, fishing, camping) and making memories with my family. I enjoy spending time both in big cities (NYC, Chicago, etc) and in the middle of nowhere (the mountains, Boundary Waters, etc ). I think the book that had the biggest impact on me (other than the Bible) was John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life . I read that in college and knew I wanted to live an intentional life that regularly proclaimed and displayed the gospel.

Growing up in a church-going home in a small town, in northwest Iowa, it was assumed that everybody was a "Christian." I had heard about Jesus, knew the Bible stories, and understood what sin was. This gave me the false assumption that I, too, was a Christian. Throughout my younger years, I struggled with the concepts of acceptance and belonging. I wanted to belong, therefore I ultimately tried becoming all things to all people. I wanted to be the star athlete, the straight-A student, the class clown, the life of the party, and also the beloved youngest child. Clearly, my life was a twisted mess of contradictory chaos, as I was searching for my acceptance and belonging in all the wrong places. During my junior year of college (2013) at Iowa State University, the Gospel of Christ became beautiful to me at a Wednesday night worship and prayer gathering. For the first time in my life, I had ears to hear that my acceptance and belonging were purchased by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. It was no longer about my measuring up, but rather, about Christ's finished work on my behalf. I found great freedom in the Gospel, setting me free from the bondage of my sin and shame. Though people-pleasing is still a temptation of mine to this very day, I cling to the promise that my life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). All praise, glory, and honor be to Him!

My beautiful wife, Ellie, and I have been married since May 2017. After spending our first two years of marriage at Candeo Church in Cedar Falls, we moved to Cedar Rapids in July 2019, after Ellie had graduated from UNI and I began my career in vocational ministry. She has been working in corporate wellness at Health Solutions, which is right next to Veritas. Our time in Cedar Rapids has been characterized by tremendous growth and great joy. In October 2021, we were blessed to adopt our two boys, Blaze and Leo, who have shown us a bigger and more beautiful picture of the gospel. What love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God!

In regards to hobbies, I love spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, watching or participating in sports, reading good books, and laughing. I also love traveling and eating good food, which are clearly connected. In the words of Jim Gaffigan, "In the end, that's what most vacations are — just you eating in a place you've never been."

I was born and raised in the midwest - spending some time in Illinois and Indiana before my family settled in Indianola, Iowa. I'm very thankful to have grown up with Christian parents who prioritized being active in the church. I remember learning about Jesus at church and from my parents at an early age. I have always struggled with wanting to be good enough for others and measure up to expectations. When I was six, I came to understand that I wasn't good enough and I couldn't measure up and that on my own, I would never be good enough for God. But the good news is that Jesus was good enough and that he made a way for me to be made right with God.

As I went through middle school and high school, I continued to grow in my faith. My junior year of high school, I started serving in our middle school ministry as a small group leader for 6th grade boys. It was through serving there, having multiple conversations with my youth pastor, and a few other experiences, God confirmed my desire to go into full time ministry. I went down to Dallas, Texas to attend Dallas Baptist University and started interning at a church where I would end up working at for the next 6 years. 

In 2014, while in Dallas, a Texas native - Morgan - helped me learn how to country dance and we got married 17 months later. In 2018, Morgan, Walter (our Great Dane), and I moved up to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to work at Veritas. We've since adopted our three kids: Palmer, Judah, and Collins.

After missing Texas BBQ for three years, I have begun to smoke my own BBQ, a little bit of that Texas goodness here in Cedar Rapids. You may also see me trying to perfect the world's worst golf swing

As a pastor's kid, I grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area with my three younger sisters. I was always at church and learned all the stories, however, It wasn't until 8th or 9th grade that I accepted Christ and put my trust in him. The next several years were slow growth.

I found that shooting and editing video came naturally to me, and quickly became my favorite activity. I went through a challenging time in 2004, questioning my faith and being very angry with God. I wasn't trusting that he had everything in control and so I was making my plans. Moving to Iowa in 2005, God put people in my life that taught me his true nature and pointed me to him. They even helped me see how I could use my gifts and skills in video to serve him, and not myself.

Erica and I were married in 2009 and by 2015 we had two children and I had joined the staff at Veritas. I get to serve by leading the team that works on the website, app, graphics, videos and live production at the Veritas Campuses. It's awesome being able to serve in this way, and help encourage others to know, love, and obey Jesus through the work we produce.

I love movies, attending baseball games, and spending time with my family. Because of some food allergies, I often order off the vegan menu and add meat to it.

I was born into a Catholic family as the middle child and grew up in a small town in Iowa that exemplified the stereotypical rural, corn-fed, midwest-polite community. Growing up in a Catholic community led to my functioning with the understanding that works, or my performance and behavior was the primary determining factor of my salvation and right standing with God. Grace, mercy, and forgiveness were accessible to me by way of confession and penance prescribed by the priest of our church. The thing I considered paramount was not how God saw me, but rather, how everyone around me saw me. I wanted to be the hero in everyone’s story. God had other plans. 

I lived a double life. I earned decent grades, displayed “beyond-my-years-maturity”, and was generally kind to everyone around me. On the outside, I had it all figured out. Behind closed doors and in the dark parts of my mind and heart I was insecure, selfish, lonely, and depressed. I was desperate for acceptance and belonging and seeking a sense of identity by placing my value and worth in my performance and my reputation. 

In my freshman year of college, I spent as much time as I could trying to find joy and satisfaction in partying, alcohol, drugs, unhealthy relationships, and everything the world offers, so much so that the way people saw me as the “perfect” reputation I had built began to crumble. I was no longer able to coast through life on my merit, I was so lost, so depressed, and so broken. After years of pursuing things of this world and filling my heart with the desires of my sinful nature, I was confronted with the truth. A friend on my football team watched my life unravel and often would call me to repent. On November 4, 2008, that friend came to my dorm room with a Bible in his hand. Days leading up to his visit were filled with constant battles in my heart about whether or not I should continue fighting with the brokenness in my soul or if it would be easier to end it all… My friend came to my room and handed me that Bible, shared the gospel, and introduced me to Jesus. Over time, Jesus carried me out of that hole and has been carrying me ever since.

My friend and I spent hour after hour talking about the Nephilim in the Old Testament, the archaeological evidence validating the details of scripture, and so much more. God used my curiosity and desire to learn to share the truth of his character. The gospel was alive in me and the Spirit began to change my heart. From that point on, God continued to grow my heart of worship and blessed me in so many ways.

I grew up believing my performance would earn my favor and righteousness with God. God used a time in my life when my performance and behavior were the most unacceptable, undeserving, and offensive, to show me the truth — no amount of work will ever change the way God sees His chosen people. Because of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and victory over sin, it’s “no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me!” My identity is not made up of the talents or skills I think I have, it’s not the acceptance of those around me, it’s not in the things of this world… I am a citizen of Heaven!! I’ve been adopted into God’s family and he knows my name — all of this a work of His doing, not of my own. 

I’m thankful for the gift God gave me in my wife Stacy — she is gracious, kind, and the most honest and thoughtful person I know. She loves Jesus with her whole heart and is my best friend!! I’m so thankful we get to worship Jesus together for eternity! Most nights you can find us singing and dancing to our favorite worship songs, snuggling as a family, and enjoying the gifts that God has given us! Being with my wife and kids is always an adventure and I've experienced so much joy watching them all grow in their love and devotion to Jesus! I enjoy eating candy, lifting weights, and watching TV with Stacy!

I was a hurdler in track and was blessed with the opportunity to run at the University of Northern Iowa. My family is the best gift God has given me... apart from Jesus! 

Jesus wins... every time... we should sing, shout, dance, and live our lives as an appropriate response to all He's done for us!

I was raised in rural, northern Minnesota on a farm. My family was very religious and attended church each Sunday. We homeschooled as well, so I heard a lot about Jesus but never knew Jesus. When I was eight, I prayed a prayer to be saved and fell into religiosity. I went to Providence College and Seminary in Otturburne, Manitoba, for a couple of years and dropped out to get married in 2001, and because school was proving difficult for me. I proceeded to work in concrete construction, carpentry, and raising cattle with my dad and brother. Throughout this time I kept serving in my church's youth group and was challenged in 2005 to join staff and help out part-time in student ministry. I took that opportunity and after a year of serving, during a book study, God grabbed ahold of my heart. God saved me! It was quite the transition from religion to Jesus. My pursuit of Jesus continued to grow and one day while working on the farm God confirmed my calling to ministry. I attended Bethlehem College and Seminary long distance and completed my degree while serving at Grace Baptist Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through a series of events, that was crazy, God brought me down to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Veritas Church. As I mentioned, my wife Sharon and I were married in June of 2001 and we have been blessed with three sons, Finley, Piper, and Oliver. God continues to grow us as we pursue our marriage and raise our boys.  

Over the years, the outdoors has been a highlight, I love the country over the city and the mountains over the beach. When I can, I enjoy bowhunting whitetail deer or building a cabinet. Sometimes I get to do and enjoy some remodeling. Occasionally a few books will pique my interest and of course, I watch The Office every other year. In 2012, I started riding a bicycle again and have enjoyed around 25,000 miles by bike. It is a goal, if God wills, to cover all 50 states before I'm unable (40 left, and no, I haven't done RAGBRAI!). A highlight of my year is when our family rides our bicycles through a state together. We are currently on a multiple-year journey down the Mississippi River trail. More than that, through bicycle touring, we have been able to raise several thousand dollars for a school and church in Santiago, Dominican Republic. It has been a delight to glorify God through the bike ride.   

I am from Cedar Falls, Iowa, and went to the University of Iowa (molecular biology). I joined the Veritas staff team in 2022 after being on staff at another Salt Network church (Candeo) since 2015.

I grew up in a great home and was involved in church, and youth group as a child. I heard the gospel many times but God finally opened my eyes to its reality and my need for saving grace when I was in high school.

My wife (Emily) and I were high school sweethearts and now we have five kids (Madi, Eliott, Taylor, Lyla, and Ethan). We enjoy sports and the outdoors as a family, as well as trying to make normal and mundane activities fun.

I like the outdoors (hunting, fishing, camping) and making memories with my family. I enjoy spending time both in big cities (NYC, Chicago, etc) and in the middle of nowhere (the mountains, Boundary Waters, etc ). I think the book that had the biggest impact on me (other than the Bible) was John Piper's Don't Waste Your Life . I read that in college and knew I wanted to live an intentional life that regularly proclaimed and displayed the gospel.

My relationship with Jesus began as a young girl as my parents took me to church and Sunday school each week—I remember learning about Jesus and being curious about him at a young age. I wanted to be a "good" person. I was striving to be the best I could be and struggled to understand why I could never really sense being "good enough." Although I knew a lot about Jesus as a child, it wasn't until I was in high school that my youth pastor shared the gospel with me. I realized at that point, that although I knew what Jesus did, I didn't understand why he did it, how my sin separated me from God and that I needed to respond to his invitation. At sixteen, I became a Christ–follower and have continued on a journey of growing in my relationship with him since. However, the majority of my spiritual growth began when I was in my mid-twenties and was discipled for the first time by a woman at my church. Within this relationship I was taught how to study and apply the Bible, grow in spiritual disciplines, and receive accountability. This was also when I learned the importance of sharing the gospel and discipling others. 

Getting the opportunity to spend each day encouraging others, pointing them to God and his truths, and helping them do the same with others is a gift. So grateful for the opportunity to serve God and others in this role at Veritas.

One of the more interesting things about my life was the season I lived in SE Asia for three years. Learning the language, having a motorbike be my main mode of transportation, and getting to know the local people always brought a sense of great adventure and humbleness that came with being a foreigner in an unfamiliar place. God used that season to grow me in great ways and taught me things that continue to impact me to this day. 

I’ve been blessed to be a part of the Adult Ministry Team at Veritas since July 2020. Prior to my role at Veritas, I served on a ministry team overseas in SE Asia, after working with the Salt Company in Cedar Falls, IA. Prior to my roles in ministry, I worked as an elementary teacher in Marion, IA. 

My husband, Paul, and I enjoy quality time with our family and friends, spending time outdoors, reading a good book, watching a couple of episodes of our favorite show, or traveling the world when possible. 

I was the second baby born to my parents within one year. God blessed me, along with my older and younger sisters, with parents who loved God and shared the gospel with us. I grew up in western Michigan, which was flush with Christian churches. We attended the Christian Reformed Church where our family served regularly. I thought everyone knew Jesus, and missionaries were for far away places. God worked in me to understand others nearby need to hear the stories I knew and loved from the Bible. Since then I have felt a burden to share the gospel with my neighbor. I married Bill DeJong in 1981. We have 3 grown daughters, a nurse, a food service manager, and an occupational therapist. We also have 3 young granddaughters. Bill and I enjoyed serving many years in youth ministry. God has guided us through several relocations over our years of marriage. We lived in Tucson, AZ, Tinley Park, IL, Eldora, IA, and now we live in Lisbon, IA. 

When our youngest daughter was in high school I went back to college at Liberty University to complete my bachelors degree in Psychology/Crisis Counseling with a minor in Christian Counseling. I worked in hospice for over 6 years as a Bereavement Program Coordinator/Grief Counselor before joining the terrific staff at Veritas Cedar Rapids in December, 2021. The Bible is my favorite book; however, some other books I love are The Gift of Being Yourself, and Everyday Church. When I have free time I love to hike, bike, bake, garden, can produce, go to the beach, play with and read to grandkids/grandfriends, and spend time with family and friends. Some favorite places I like to visit are beaches in western Michigan, Tucson, Georgia, and anywhere there are mountains. I love music and We the Kingdom and the Doobie Brothers are a couple of my favorite bands.

I grew up in a loving Christian home but I didn’t begin to follow Jesus until shortly after my Dad passed away suddenly in 2012. In a drastic way, my world was flipped upside down but God used this time to grab ahold of me and help me understand that I was made by God, for God. For the first time in my life, I was awakened to the reality of my sin and the grace of Jesus. God placed people in my life to disciple me and point me to the truths that I had known in my head but had finally become a reality ruling in my heart by God’s grace alone!

I attended Veritas Cedar Rapids' first service on Easter Sunday 2013 in the Chrome Horse. However, I did not land here as my home church until early 2014, after God used a gentle rebuke from a man I respected who encouraged me to land somewhere in community at a local church. After plugging in at Veritas I began to feel called into ministry and God opened up an opportunity to start our Student Ministry. I regularly thank God for guiding Jake, Ryan, and our elder team at the time in allowing me this opportunity to step out in faith.

I started working at Veritas in August 2015, just a few days after I married my best friend Kirstin. We now have three boys - Theo, Tripp, and Trace. After six years in Student Ministry, I was given the opportunity to forge a new path in the areas of Equipping and Sending at Veritas and I am grateful for this adventure that I get to be on with our church family! I did not attend a Bible college or seminary prior to joining our staff team. I am thankful, however, that I was given the opportunity to earn my Masters of Theological Studies through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary by way of what is now known as the Veritas School of Theology - one of the areas where I get to help people in our church grow in their theological understanding and practical following of Jesus. 

I enjoy a wide variety of things and activities like spending time with my family, cars, home improvement, Ask Pastor John, and personal finance. I once won a motorcycle and then sold it a few years later to help with the downpayment for our first house. I like just about every genre of music (some more than others). I also cry very easily during movies - especially cheesy ones with a heavy redemptive overtone.

​​I grew up going to church on Sundays, was confirmed in middle school, served in my church in high school, and worked at a campus ministry in college. I knew a lot of the right answers, but the truth of the gospel did not become real to me until I was in my mid 20's at Veritas Church in Iowa City. It was through discipleship within my connection group that I learned of the God of the Bible, a God who was near to me and who offered a free gift of grace that I could never earn or repay. I put my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and was baptized shortly after in 2012. I was hired on staff at Veritas in Iowa City in 2013 where I was surrounded by mature, godly men and women which was foundational to my growth as a new Christian. 

I made the move to join the Veritas Cedar Rapids staff in 2017 and have been so blessed by the leadership and people of Veritas as I continue on the journey of sanctification. 

My dear husband, Derek, and I were married in 2010 and have been overwhelmed by God's faithfulness throughout our marriage. After several years of infertility, we welcomed our first daughter, Juniper Louise in 2018. Luna Belle completed our little girl squad in 2021. Our prayer is that our daughters would grow up in a home that loves and serves the Lord and that they would one day know, love, and obey Jesus.

I enjoy cooking and spending time with people. I love the fellowship that comes from being gathered around a table and sharing a meal with others. I am on a quest to create the perfect charcuterie board. Our family can often be found cuddled up on the couch for family movie night or spending time outside playing games, gardening, or making s'mores around a fire. 

Growing up in a church-going home in a small town, in northwest Iowa, it was assumed that everybody was a "Christian." I had heard about Jesus, knew the Bible stories, and understood what sin was. This gave me the false assumption that I, too, was a Christian. Throughout my younger years, I struggled with the concepts of acceptance and belonging. I wanted to belong, therefore I ultimately tried becoming all things to all people. I wanted to be the star athlete, the straight-A student, the class clown, the life of the party, and also the beloved youngest child. Clearly, my life was a twisted mess of contradictory chaos, as I was searching for my acceptance and belonging in all the wrong places. During my junior year of college (2013) at Iowa State University, the Gospel of Christ became beautiful to me at a Wednesday night worship and prayer gathering. For the first time in my life, I had ears to hear that my acceptance and belonging were purchased by the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. It was no longer about my measuring up, but rather, about Christ's finished work on my behalf. I found great freedom in the Gospel, setting me free from the bondage of my sin and shame. Though people-pleasing is still a temptation of mine to this very day, I cling to the promise that my life is hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). All praise, glory, and honor be to Him!

My beautiful wife, Ellie, and I have been married since May 2017. After spending our first two years of marriage at Candeo Church in Cedar Falls, we moved to Cedar Rapids in July 2019, after Ellie had graduated from UNI and I began my career in vocational ministry. She has been working in corporate wellness at Health Solutions, which is right next to Veritas. Our time in Cedar Rapids has been characterized by tremendous growth and great joy. In October 2021, we were blessed to adopt our two boys, Blaze and Leo, who have shown us a bigger and more beautiful picture of the gospel. What love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God!

In regards to hobbies, I love spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, watching or participating in sports, reading good books, and laughing. I also love traveling and eating good food, which are clearly connected. In the words of Jim Gaffigan, "In the end, that's what most vacations are — just you eating in a place you've never been."

I grew up in a church going family in California and considered myself to be a Christian simply because I attended church. My life was centered around athletic performance and fitting in with classmates. It wasn't until a high school relationship ended in a break up that I started spending time around other believers. I slowly began to realize I didn't know Jesus in a saving way. It wasn't until some point later on in high school that God saved me from my sin and the endless search for significance apart from him. After a semester at Cornell College I plugged into Salt Company with some friends. By the Fall Retreat my sophomore year, the gospel became even more clear and beautiful to me and I began to love reading my Bible. Some of the most formative discipleship in my life so far came from being a part of Salt Company. I also met my wife, Candace in Salt Company and together we have two children, Archie and Brooklynne who are precious gifts of God's grace to us. 

Other things I love: professional cycling and tons of other endurance sports.

I'm an only child and have lived in Cedar Rapids my entire life. I grew up going to church with my family and attended Christian school from first grade until high school graduation. During this time, I encountered the gospel and gave my life to Christ in second grade. My middle and high school years were marked by a works-based mentality and seeking to please God and others from this motivation. 

During my college years, I came to Salt Company, and the Lord challenged my works-based way of living and showed me how to have a deep intentional relationship with him. 

During my time at Salt Company, I also came to understand what community looks like and how to confess sins to one another. After graduating from college in May 2019, I worked as a nurse and was able to join and then eventually co-lead a connection group. Again, through community, the Lord drew me closer to him, and I learned steady rhythms of how to pursue God wholeheartedly. As of July 2022, I began working for Salt Company and have been overjoyed at getting to love and encourage college students in their relationship with God in the same way I was loved and encouraged during my time in Salt. God is proving Himself faithful in many ways in my relationship with him and the lives of college students here in Cedar Rapids.

I love to travel to places near and far. I've primarily traveled to the Midwest States. However, I have also had the privilege of traveling to East Asia and to Mexico. I really enjoy thrifting, doing yoga, and cooking new recipes for myself and my friends!

I grew up in North Dakota in a Christian home. I am the third of five kids. As a kid, I loved sports, music, reading, and just being outside. I was a part of a church in Grand Forks, ND from the time I could remember. I knew a lot about God and his character but I didn't truly understand the gospel and why it would matter to a kid in a small town. Once I reached middle school, I got involved in the youth group at our church. I made friends and had a lot of fun but still didn't get it. I pursued love, acceptance, and fulfillment in all the wrong places.

As a junior in high school, I went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. In the weeks leading up to the trip, the trip itself, and the re-entry into normal life, I heard the gospel clearly preached and saw it lived out. During this time, I saw that my life did not line up with the gospel. I said I believed one thing and lived differently. I saw my need for a Savior outside of myself. I couldn't do enough good things in front of the right people to be liked. After I believed and was baptized, I attended college at Bethlehem College in Minneapolis. I got connected with Veritas and Salt Company after my junior year of college and have loved to continue to grow and be shaped by this community.

Since coming to know Jesus, I have seen God at work in so many ways in my life. He has drawn me away from countless sins and into his grace. He has given me greater patience and love for those around me. May the rest of my life be lived for his glory.

I love to read, cycle, be outside, hike, run, and drink coffee. I also LOVE my black lab, Selah.

I was born and raised in the midwest - spending some time in Illinois and Indiana before my family settled in Indianola, Iowa. I'm very thankful to have grown up with Christian parents who prioritized being active in the church. I remember learning about Jesus at church and from my parents at an early age. I have always struggled with wanting to be good enough for others and measure up to expectations. When I was six, I came to understand that I wasn't good enough and I couldn't measure up and that on my own, I would never be good enough for God. But the good news is that Jesus was good enough and that he made a way for me to be made right with God.

As I went through middle school and high school, I continued to grow in my faith. My junior year of high school, I started serving in our middle school ministry as a small group leader for 6th grade boys. It was through serving there, having multiple conversations with my youth pastor, and a few other experiences, God confirmed my desire to go into full time ministry. I went down to Dallas, Texas to attend Dallas Baptist University and started interning at a church where I would end up working at for the next 6 years. 

In 2014, while in Dallas, a Texas native - Morgan - helped me learn how to country dance and we got married 17 months later. In 2018, Morgan, Walter (our Great Dane), and I moved up to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to work at Veritas. We've since adopted our three kids: Palmer, Judah, and Collins.

After missing Texas BBQ for three years, I have begun to smoke my own BBQ, a little bit of that Texas goodness here in Cedar Rapids. You may also see me trying to perfect the world's worst golf swing

I was raised in a home where church involvement was a high priority and I was going to church before I was born. If you had asked me when I was little or even a young adult, I would have told you I was saved and knew who Jesus was even though I was living in sin and never experienced the conviction I thought a believer should have. I lived a moral life to anyone looking in, honestly believing that I was living for Jesus. My 'Christian' life felt forced and was not fruitful. However, in 2007, 6 years after Matthew and I were married, God opened my eyes to see the truth of who he is and that my sin really is a big deal and offensive to a holy God. He changed my motives and slowly, my marriage. Later that year, Matthew and I welcomed our first son into our family. 

Matthew and I have 3 boys, Finley, Piper, and Oliver. We moved to Cedar Rapids in 2016 and, surrounded by our Veritas family, have grown closer to each other and God. Our family enjoys bicycle touring and going to the beach in North Carolina.  

We homeschool and my favorite books are any books that I read aloud to the boys. Some of my favorite days are spent sitting outside in the spring sun reading a book, even a textbook out loud to the boys. My favorite place to go is Atlantic Beach, NC, the beach I grew up going to with my family. 

Midwest born and raised; I've loved living in the heartland with my husband Antony and our little family, near our families and friends. 

Growing up I attended various church ministries for youth but had no idea I was dead in my sin. I didn't understand my need for a savior or who Jesus really is. This led to a life of trying really hard, fitting in and false hope placed in relationships, being a "good" person, attempting perfection and as you may know, all this and I still felt empty. I couldn't explain the feeling of void but I felt it; no one understood me because they saw an excellent worldly life: what did I have to complain about? 

While living in Wisconsin, I started attending church (which was so outside my comfort zone as a young 20-something) and it was during a sermon on Luke that the Lord opened my eyes to my brokenness and need for Jesus. I'll never forget the tears, feeling like the pastor was speaking directly to me. Our pastor encouraged those of us who hadn’t accepted Christ, to say yes. In my head and heart, I did. After service, I found myself with the radio on and as you'd have it a song I often played to ease anxiety came on. I started singing as normal but what happened next was not anything I had ever done before: my words turned to prayer and confessing my need for Jesus, inviting the gift that is himself into my heart and life. It was an absolute miracle and light switch moment that only God could have done. Since that day, my heart has been on fire for the Lord and desire to live for him; sharing the truth, the freedom and rest found only in him. Our family has been attending Veritas since 2019 and I jumped on staff in the spring of 2021. We love spending time with our church family, serving the body, and having a good potluck. One of my favorite places to visit is Utah. I'm convinced we'll end up in the southwest a few more times in the years to come. 

Can a hobby be hanging out with people? I love people! I also really love local craft coffee and good food shared with my husband or friends. As for books, I have a list of favorite Christian books but I also love a good mystery like Hercule Poirot or Sherlock Holmes. I love trying to solve the mystery before the story ends!

Veritas Church has been home to my family since 2019. My husband, Shaun, our children, and I enjoy growing in our faith and serving alongside the people of Veritas. I took on the role of Elementary Leader, overseeing Kindergarten-5th grade Kids ministry, in 2022. It is a privilege to work beside such faithful volunteers and staff! 

I grew up attending a small church in Cedar Rapids but didn't have a personal relationship with Christ until my early twenties. While in college, the Lord, in his kindness, began placing people and experiences in my life that would draw me nearer and nearer to him. A family health crisis during the final months of college was the catalyst that lead me to recognize my need for a Savior and I finally placed my full trust in Jesus. After coming to know Christ, it has been my joy to know him more and tell others of his goodness.

In our spare time, my family adores being active outdoors, vacationing in National Parks, and making music together. 

Growing up, my family had a hard time finding a church where we felt welcomed and cared for. And as a result we didn’t go to church. When I started college, I knew I wanted to dive deeper into faith to figure out what I believed in and what Christianity was. It was here I experienced the Salt Company and saw for the first time what having a relationship with Jesus was. I really struggled through my first few years of college, finding my worth, purpose, and identity in the things of this world. I was doing everything I could to look like a "good Christian" but wanted control of my life for my glory and satisfaction. In November of 2020, after years of trying to measure up, God broke down the walls I had built around my heart and showed me I couldn’t – and I didn’t need to. I truly felt the weight and joy of what Jesus did for me, and that night I surrendered my life to Christ. 

I have been so blessed to lead and intern with the Salt Company over the past few years, in addition to spending a summer overseas in Thailand sharing the gospel in 2022. In October of 2022, I was given the opportunity to hop on staff at Veritas as the Nursery Leader. It is such a privilege getting to know and serve families here, and I am incredibly excited to grow in my knowledge of and obedience to Christ through this!

In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, thrifting, spending time with friends, and trying new foods. I also enjoy being outside, specifically reading (or napping) in my hammock!

I came to know Jesus during the end of my Junior year of high school. My parents raised me in church and I attended youth group for several years, but I was living a double life. God convicted me of my sin by opening my eyes to ways I hurt others and myself when I lived for others' approval. I was desperate to change but knew I couldn't do it alone. I joined a group led by my youth pastor with some other high school guys that helped set the trajectory for where I am today. I started college in the fall of 2015, and have been at Veritas since. My walk with Jesus has grown exponentially.

I joined staff in July of 2022 as a Student Ministry Leader. I get the joy and privilege to share God's Word and the life changing truth of his Gospel with 6th-12th graders on Wednesday Nights. I also get to support the male adult leaders who lead the guys connection groups in our ministry. 

I love to be outdoors with my wife Mikaela and our little girl Adalynn. Whether it's cycling, hiking, kayaking, walks around town etc. I'm highly competitive, so I enjoy almost any game. From basketball to Settlers of Catan to Euchre, I enjoy the challenge, strategy, and fun that games bring. I also love to cook, read, and make coffee (I'm kind of a dork about it).

I once lived in Australia for a year and a half, and in Thailand for a few months. I’ve also traveled to New Zealand, and have been to China twice. Throughout these experiences, I have seen the unique ways Jesus' church takes form and to see how his image bearers reflect his glory in different and incredible ways. 

I grew up in a Christian household where we went to church and were taught about Jesus from a young age. I would have said I became a Christian when I was 13 or 14 years old. I remember “praying the prayer” but looking back it was out of a fear of going to hell rather than out of a fear and awe of God. My life didn’t really look different from a non-christians life, and I did things out of gaining people's approval rather than God’s.

After graduating high school, I went to school for Music Education at the University of Northern Iowa. I quickly got connected with Salt Company and Candeo Church. At the Fall retreat my Freshman year of college, the gospel was made so sweet and so clear to me. It was as if I had never heard it before. I accepted Jesus as my savior. This was when I started to see a heart change. I desired God’s Word and wanted to shape my life according to His will rather than my own. I began to love discipleship and sharing Jesus with others along with walking alongside people as they followed Jesus.

After graduation in 2017, I moved back home knowing I wanted to pursue ministry without any specific opportunities. I got involved here at Veritas and I started on staff in 2019 and it has been a joy to serve alongside this staff team and church body. 

My favorite things to do are hanging out with my dog and my friends, running and reading various books.

I was born and raised in Mason City, IA by two loving and Christlike parents, and have four siblings, two older and two younger. I accepted Christ as my savior when I was a small child. When I was young, my dad became a pastor at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Mason City IA, a church family that he and my mom have been a part of ever since. 

Although I was saved at a young age, the gospel became tangible to me in late middle school. Even though my parents always made sure I knew that they were proud of me and that I didn’t have to do anything to earn favor with them or with God, I have always struggled with a heart that tries to ‘earn’ everything in life, including the love of my family and God himself. As I got older, however, I became more and more aware of my inability to earn God’s grace and cleanse myself from the sins I knew I struggled with. In late middle school, I discovered two verses that changed my life: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result works, that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). God used these verses to work the gospel grace of God into my stubborn heart. It was freedom beyond explanation to know that because of Christ’s perfect life, death, and resurrection I am justified in God’s sight, even of my deepest sins and mistakes. 

Since then God has slowly worked his sanctifying grace in my life through his Spirit and gave me a passion for ministry, so that others could know the grace and freedom I experienced in Christ. After graduating High School I attended Moody Bible Institute where I received a B.A. in Biblical Studies with Music Emphasis, married my wonderful wife Selena, and moved to Coralville IA, where we are currently living. I am incredibly excited to be serving at Veritas Church, and for all that God will continue to teach me here as I learn how to become a better minister of the gospel of Christ! 

Reading is my absolute favorite hobby! I believe that God has so much to teach his church through the many men and women who have come before us and have walked the Christian life faithfully. The books that have had the deepest impact on my life are What is Reformed Theology by R.C. Sproul, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman, Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Perlelandraby C.S. Lewis.

I also enjoy going on hikes with my wife, watching great films, and playing games with friends. 

I grew up a "good" kid in small-town South Carolina. My parents loved the Lord and took me to church regularly. I knew Bible answers and lived a biblically moral life. Unfortunately, I thought all those things made me right with God and better than everyone else living differently. At age 14, God drew me to himself, showed me my sinful pride, and humbled me before him beside my parents' bed following a revival service at our church. That night, I confessed my sins, received Christ's righteousness, and committed to following the Lord for the rest of my life. Eventually, as a senior in high school, that commitment would express itself into a calling to full-time vocational ministry.

Following college, I moved to Louisiana to complete my Masters of Divinity degree at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. After one semester, I started serving on staff at The Chapel on the Campus in Baton Rouge, LA. It was there that I met and eventually married my wife Erica (in 2009). I served at that church for twelve years until helping plant a church just north of Atlanta, GA. Then, we were led to make the move to the Midwest and join the staff at Veritas in January 2019.

We became foster parents in 2014 and adoptive parents in 2017. We now have three boys, Jeremy, Amos, and Abel, and welcomed Eliza, our girl, into our family in 2022. 

Following Jesus has been an absolutely joyful journey! He's led me to satisfying waters, sustained me in hard seasons, and graciously turned his face to me each step of the way. I can't imagine life without Jesus, and I have a passion to see neighbors, the neglected, and the nations experience the same thing in their lives for the glory of God!

When not at Veritas, I love playing and watching all sports, especially golf, cheering on my Clemson Tigers, drinking good southern sweet tea, and watching The Shawshank Redemption anytime it's on TV. These days, I'm spending time hanging out with Erica, playing sports and building Lego creations with our kids, working on house projects (that I'm unskilled to complete), and begging God to redeem my bad parenting for his glory. 

I grew up in a loving Christian home but I didn’t begin to follow Jesus until shortly after my Dad passed away suddenly in 2012. In a drastic way, my world was flipped upside down but God used this time to grab ahold of me and help me understand that I was made by God, for God. For the first time in my life, I was awakened to the reality of my sin and the grace of Jesus. God placed people in my life to disciple me and point me to the truths that I had known in my head but had finally become a reality ruling in my heart by God’s grace alone!

I attended Veritas Cedar Rapids' first service on Easter Sunday 2013 in the Chrome Horse. However, I did not land here as my home church until early 2014, after God used a gentle rebuke from a man I respected who encouraged me to land somewhere in community at a local church. After plugging in at Veritas I began to feel called into ministry and God opened up an opportunity to start our Student Ministry. I regularly thank God for guiding Jake, Ryan, and our elder team at the time in allowing me this opportunity to step out in faith.

I started working at Veritas in August 2015, just a few days after I married my best friend Kirstin. We now have three boys - Theo, Tripp, and Trace. After six years in Student Ministry, I was given the opportunity to forge a new path in the areas of Equipping and Sending at Veritas and I am grateful for this adventure that I get to be on with our church family! I did not attend a Bible college or seminary prior to joining our staff team. I am thankful, however, that I was given the opportunity to earn my Masters of Theological Studies through Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary by way of what is now known as the Veritas School of Theology - one of the areas where I get to help people in our church grow in their theological understanding and practical following of Jesus. 

I enjoy a wide variety of things and activities like spending time with my family, cars, home improvement, Ask Pastor John, and personal finance. I once won a motorcycle and then sold it a few years later to help with the downpayment for our first house. I like just about every genre of music (some more than others). I also cry very easily during movies - especially cheesy ones with a heavy redemptive overtone.

As a pastor's kid, I grew up in the Cleveland, Ohio area with my three younger sisters. I was always at church and learned all the stories, however, It wasn't until 8th or 9th grade that I accepted Christ and put my trust in him. The next several years were slow growth.

I found that shooting and editing video came naturally to me, and quickly became my favorite activity. I went through a challenging time in 2004, questioning my faith and being very angry with God. I wasn't trusting that he had everything in control and so I was making my plans. Moving to Iowa in 2005, God put people in my life that taught me his true nature and pointed me to him. They even helped me see how I could use my gifts and skills in video to serve him, and not myself.

Erica and I were married in 2009 and by 2015 we had two children and I had joined the staff at Veritas. I get to serve by leading the team that works on the website, app, graphics, videos and live production at the Veritas Campuses. It's awesome being able to serve in this way, and help encourage others to know, love, and obey Jesus through the work we produce.

I love movies, attending baseball games, and spending time with my family. Because of some food allergies, I often order off the vegan menu and add meat to it.

You could say I’m an eastern Iowa native growing up just 20 minutes outside Cedar Rapids. I’m a proud graduate of Iowa State University, receiving my degree in graphic design in 2014. While at Iowa State I was involved with Salt Company where my relationship with the Lord grew deeper and I learned the value and importance of community. My husband and I started attending Veritas in 2015 shortly after we were married and knew we wanted to call Cedar Rapids home. 

I joined the staff at Veritas in 2018 as Communications Leader doing graphic design and other things related to communications. In my spare time, I enjoy being away from my computer either in my garden, working on house renovation projects, running, or reading books on women’s health. 

Many people don’t know this, but I had a pet raccoon when I was little.

I grew up in Polk City, a smaller town north of Des Moines, Iowa. My family attended church nearly every Sunday, but I was never interested in being there. Even though I wanted to believe in God, I just couldn't wrap my head around what it meant to be a Christian and decided to walk away as a teenager. Before heading off to college, a good family friend (who also happened to be my confirmation mentor) asked me if I was planning on finding a church in Cedar Rapids. When I told her no, she looked me straight in the eyes and said, "Yes. You are." Okay, I guess I was.

Veritas was one of the first churches that popped up on my Google search, so a few weeks after I moved to Cedar Rapids, I decided to attend. I sat alone in the back, only to see my head professor sitting in front of me. She immediately invited me to sit with her and her husband, then introduced me to Nathan Kaloupek, who was the Salt Company Director at the time. She made sure I was plugged in before the service even started. Something changed that day. I can't pinpoint exactly what it was, but it kept me there. I continued attending church every week and became involved with Salt Company, truly devoting my life to Christ in February 2020.

Since then, I've been actively pursuing Christ and trying to learn more every day. I was a student leader for Salt Company and went overseas in the summer of 2022, and I worked as a barista in the Veritas Cafe. I basically lived at the church! In February of 2022, I was offered the Multimedia Specialist position on the creative arts team here at Veritas, and I've been here ever since!

I LOVE music, specifically singing and playing the piano! I enjoy painting and reading, and I would consider myself a professional napper... or maybe a bad napper. I can nap anytime, anywhere, and however long I desire (but usually longer).

I joined the staff at Veritas in 2015 as we were starting our college ministry, The Salt Company, as the Coordinator and Women’s Ministry Leader. I love Salt Company so much that I have been actively involved in some way for 11 years. I feel so blessed to have gotten that much time getting to spend time with college students in some of the most pivotal years of their lives. In May of 2021, I transitioned out of Salt Company and became the Communications and Veritas Coordinator. I absolutely love where God has me in this season and deeply enjoy what I get to continue to do at Veritas.

As I look back on my life, I can see so many ways that God has been pursuing me. I grew up in Ames in a single-parent household and my mom took us to church growing up, which I am very thankful for as I was able to hear the gospel from a young age. In 8th grade, I made the decision to give my life to Christ and was baptized. Throughout high school, God really used my small group leader and my small group community to open my eyes even more to the depth of my sin and the beauty of the gospel. I attended Iowa State University for college and was deeply invested in The Salt Company, where I experienced a greater sense of community and growth in my faith. (have I mentioned I really love Salt Company?!) When I graduated college I moved to Iowa City to be a part of planting Veritas Iowa City. I was on staff as The Salt Company coordinator from 2012 until I moved to Cedar Rapids in 2015. In all the places God has brought me, I am thankful that God continues to remind me of the importance of the gospel and that I can never outgrow it. 

I met my husband, Jordan, in 2013 through Veritas Iowa City, and in March of 2019, we got married. Jordan brings the comedy and also the steadiness to my life that I need. 

In 2021, we purchased a house and spent 7 months renovating it before we moved in. We (my husband mostly) learned a lot of new skills during that process. I learned that Ikea cabinets come in a million pieces. 

In May of 2022, we welcomed our daughter Amani and she is such a joy! I sometimes can’t believe that I get to be her mother.

I love people being around people. The more I feel known, the goofier I become and I often make it my goal to make people laugh. I go through seasons of enjoying exercise and have spent many summers playing sand volleyball multiple nights of the week. I'm not considered a dog person and many are shocked when I tell them that I love my dog, Koda. I enjoy spending time with my daughter and seeing how her personality grows. 

I was born into a Catholic family as the middle child and grew up in a small town in Iowa that exemplified the stereotypical rural, corn-fed, midwest-polite community. Growing up in a Catholic community led to my functioning with the understanding that works, or my performance and behavior was the primary determining factor of my salvation and right standing with God. Grace, mercy, and forgiveness were accessible to me by way of confession and penance prescribed by the priest of our church. The thing I considered paramount was not how God saw me, but rather, how everyone around me saw me. I wanted to be the hero in everyone’s story. God had other plans. 

I lived a double life. I earned decent grades, displayed “beyond-my-years-maturity”, and was generally kind to everyone around me. On the outside, I had it all figured out. Behind closed doors and in the dark parts of my mind and heart I was insecure, selfish, lonely, and depressed. I was desperate for acceptance and belonging and seeking a sense of identity by placing my value and worth in my performance and my reputation. 

In my freshman year of college, I spent as much time as I could trying to find joy and satisfaction in partying, alcohol, drugs, unhealthy relationships, and everything the world offers, so much so that the way people saw me as the “perfect” reputation I had built began to crumble. I was no longer able to coast through life on my merit, I was so lost, so depressed, and so broken. After years of pursuing things of this world and filling my heart with the desires of my sinful nature, I was confronted with the truth. A friend on my football team watched my life unravel and often would call me to repent. On November 4, 2008, that friend came to my dorm room with a Bible in his hand. Days leading up to his visit were filled with constant battles in my heart about whether or not I should continue fighting with the brokenness in my soul or if it would be easier to end it all… My friend came to my room and handed me that Bible, shared the gospel, and introduced me to Jesus. Over time, Jesus carried me out of that hole and has been carrying me ever since.

My friend and I spent hour after hour talking about the Nephilim in the Old Testament, the archaeological evidence validating the details of scripture, and so much more. God used my curiosity and desire to learn to share the truth of his character. The gospel was alive in me and the Spirit began to change my heart. From that point on, God continued to grow my heart of worship and blessed me in so many ways.

I grew up believing my performance would earn my favor and righteousness with God. God used a time in my life when my performance and behavior were the most unacceptable, undeserving, and offensive, to show me the truth — no amount of work will ever change the way God sees His chosen people. Because of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and victory over sin, it’s “no longer I who live but Christ who lives within me!” My identity is not made up of the talents or skills I think I have, it’s not the acceptance of those around me, it’s not in the things of this world… I am a citizen of Heaven!! I’ve been adopted into God’s family and he knows my name — all of this a work of His doing, not of my own. 

I’m thankful for the gift God gave me in my wife Stacy — she is gracious, kind, and the most honest and thoughtful person I know. She loves Jesus with her whole heart and is my best friend!! I’m so thankful we get to worship Jesus together for eternity! Most nights you can find us singing and dancing to our favorite worship songs, snuggling as a family, and enjoying the gifts that God has given us! Being with my wife and kids is always an adventure and I've experienced so much joy watching them all grow in their love and devotion to Jesus! I enjoy eating candy, lifting weights, and watching TV with Stacy!

I was a hurdler in track and was blessed with the opportunity to run at the University of Northern Iowa. My family is the best gift God has given me... apart from Jesus! 

Jesus wins... every time... we should sing, shout, dance, and live our lives as an appropriate response to all He's done for us!

My journey of following Jesus started when I was 5 years old. Both of my parents have been instrumental in my growth as a believer. However, my mom has been the biggest influence in my walk with Christ. Every aspect of life was a reflection of what it meant to follow and abide in Jesus. 

I’ve always struggled with putting unreasonably high expectations on myself. I would often push myself to the breaking point to be the best, to achieve perfection. I filled every hour of my schedule and cluttered my life with busyness, all in an effort to be good enough. But God in his loving kindness and patience for me slowly began to refine me. I’ve learned to let go of my need to be the best and hold on to the truth that Christ loves me as I am. I’ve learned to rest and abide in the one who refreshes my soul. I’ve learned to find my worth and value not in the idol of perfection but in King Jesus.

My husband Dev and I got married in 2021. He had been attending Veritas for several years, and I started attending after our wedding. I began serving and getting involved in the community. I loved that the Gospel was the center of every part of Veritas. I joined staff in February 2022. Since joining staff, I have felt so loved and encouraged by everyone here, and my faith has continued to thrive.

In my free time, I love to create things, whether it's baking a delicious treat, tailoring a piece of clothing, crafting a useful item for our home, or any other creative endeavor in between. I love to spend time with Dev. We love to hike, watch movies, play games, and enjoy life together. 

I grew up in Cedar Rapids. My family went to church on Christmas & Easter and the occasional Sunday. When I was in middle school our neighbors invited me to attend student ministry on a Wednesday night. When I started attending I felt something was different about the people there. I felt accepted and loved for who I was. I continued to get involved in the church and the family that invited me paid for me to attend the student ministry camp that year. On that trip, I heard the gospel clearly for the first time and understood what Jesus did for me by his ultimate death on the cross and that my worth and identity are not rooted in what I do – but in what he already did for me on the cross.

At Veritas I am the Operations Director- providing financial and operational oversight to help Veritas be fiscally responsible and operationally productive. I have the privilege of providing leadership to our Finance, Facilities, Cafe, Human Resources, Tech, and Communication functions. It's a real privilege to be able to come to work each day and serve the church in this way. 

I enjoy road biking, vacationing with my wife to new places (and taking family trips with our son). An ideal Friday would be spent either on a long bike ride (30+ miles) or working on a house project. I love to learn new things. 

My wife and I were married in 2013. We have one son, Noah who was born in 2016. We love having people over to our house. We both enjoy road biking together. We knew each other for many years before we "met" on Ragbrai in 2011. 

Growing up, I attended a parochial school and went to mass every Saturday with my family. I knew many of the truths of the Bible, however, Jesus was not the Lord of my life and I did not have a personal relationship with him. I learned more about what a relationship with Jesus looked like as I attended a non-denominational church during college. After finishing college, I married my high school sweetheart and we moved to Kansas. We attended a great church in Kansas, but it wasn’t until I was watching a Billy Graham Crusade on TV that the truth of the Gospel finally made sense to me. It was at that time that I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  

After a few moves across the country, we came to Cedar Rapids where I was able to stay home and homeschool our three boys. I started working at Veritas in January of 2019. Our three boys are married and we have one granddaughter.

While I love hiking in the mountains, a trip to the beach would always be my preferred vacation. I love to read, hike, bike and spend time with family and friends.

I joined the staff at Veritas in 2015 as we were starting our college ministry, The Salt Company, as the Coordinator and Women’s Ministry Leader. I love Salt Company so much that I have been actively involved in some way for 11 years. I feel so blessed to have gotten that much time getting to spend time with college students in some of the most pivotal years of their lives. In May of 2021, I transitioned out of Salt Company and became the Communications and Veritas Coordinator. I absolutely love where God has me in this season and deeply enjoy what I get to continue to do at Veritas.

As I look back on my life, I can see so many ways that God has been pursuing me. I grew up in Ames in a single-parent household and my mom took us to church growing up, which I am very thankful for as I was able to hear the gospel from a young age. In 8th grade, I made the decision to give my life to Christ and was baptized. Throughout high school, God really used my small group leader and my small group community to open my eyes even more to the depth of my sin and the beauty of the gospel. I attended Iowa State University for college and was deeply invested in The Salt Company, where I experienced a greater sense of community and growth in my faith. (have I mentioned I really love Salt Company?!) When I graduated college I moved to Iowa City to be a part of planting Veritas Iowa City. I was on staff as The Salt Company coordinator from 2012 until I moved to Cedar Rapids in 2015. In all the places God has brought me, I am thankful that God continues to remind me of the importance of the gospel and that I can never outgrow it. 

I met my husband, Jordan, in 2013 through Veritas Iowa City, and in March of 2019, we got married. Jordan brings the comedy and also the steadiness to my life that I need. 

In 2021, we purchased a house and spent 7 months renovating it before we moved in. We (my husband mostly) learned a lot of new skills during that process. I learned that Ikea cabinets come in a million pieces. 

In May of 2022, we welcomed our daughter Amani and she is such a joy! I sometimes can’t believe that I get to be her mother.

I love people being around people. The more I feel known, the goofier I become and I often make it my goal to make people laugh. I go through seasons of enjoying exercise and have spent many summers playing sand volleyball multiple nights of the week. I'm not considered a dog person and many are shocked when I tell them that I love my dog, Koda. I enjoy spending time with my daughter and seeing how her personality grows. 

As a child, I grew up in a Catholic home where church was based more on routine rather than a relationship with our Lord. I appreciated the faith filled background I came from, but I had no idea how much I was missing out on. I met my husband Sam in high school, and he introduced me to the Lord. After that, I joined a youth group and attended frequently. It wasn't until late high school, that I decided to live more on fire for Christ.

I went off to college at UNI and joined The Salt Company where I not only found community and lifelong friends, but found a deeper understanding for our gracious Father. A switch of my major led me back to Kirkwood and I began to attend Salt Company in Cedar Rapids where God provided me with friends, a vulnerable connection group, and a lasting church family I have been so thankful for.

I have continued to see my Savior work for His glory in so many situations including: conflict, conversations, and marriage. The faithfulness of the Lord has been so evident, especially when my husband Sam and I got married on August 13th, 2021; only by the grace of God was the gospel spoken at our wedding. With the transition into married life, we have been able to comfortably call Veritas home. 

I joined the Cafe team in May of 2022 and it has been the biggest blessing. I have felt so welcomed and encouraged by the staff, and how great is it that we all share a love for one true Father?! What a perk! I have loved every second, and I cannot wait to see how the Lord continues to work within my heart and grow my faith.

I do love to chat A LOT, and it is something I am extremely good at! You can usually find me outdoors gardening, running, or tending to my animals. My favorite hobby has been traveling with my husband as we are discovering all of God's beautiful creation!

I was raised in rural, northern Minnesota on a farm. My family was very religious and attended church each Sunday. We homeschooled as well, so I heard a lot about Jesus but never knew Jesus. When I was eight, I prayed a prayer to be saved and fell into religiosity. I went to Providence College and Seminary in Otturburne, Manitoba, for a couple of years and dropped out to get married in 2001, and because school was proving difficult for me. I proceeded to work in concrete construction, carpentry, and raising cattle with my dad and brother. Throughout this time I kept serving in my church's youth group and was challenged in 2005 to join staff and help out part-time in student ministry. I took that opportunity and after a year of serving, during a book study, God grabbed ahold of my heart. God saved me! It was quite the transition from religion to Jesus. My pursuit of Jesus continued to grow and one day while working on the farm God confirmed my calling to ministry. I attended Bethlehem College and Seminary long distance and completed my degree while serving at Grace Baptist Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Through a series of events, that was crazy, God brought me down to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Veritas Church. As I mentioned, my wife Sharon and I were married in June of 2001 and we have been blessed with three sons, Finley, Piper, and Oliver. God continues to grow us as we pursue our marriage and raise our boys.  

Over the years, the outdoors has been a highlight, I love the country over the city and the mountains over the beach. When I can, I enjoy bowhunting whitetail deer or building a cabinet. Sometimes I get to do and enjoy some remodeling. Occasionally a few books will pique my interest and of course, I watch The Office every other year. In 2012, I started riding a bicycle again and have enjoyed around 25,000 miles by bike. It is a goal, if God wills, to cover all 50 states before I'm unable (40 left, and no, I haven't done RAGBRAI!). A highlight of my year is when our family rides our bicycles through a state together. We are currently on a multiple-year journey down the Mississippi River trail. More than that, through bicycle touring, we have been able to raise several thousand dollars for a school and church in Santiago, Dominican Republic. It has been a delight to glorify God through the bike ride.   

My parents were joyful followers of Jesus and modeled the gospel before their children. I responded to Jesus at a young age and was influenced by my extended family, teachers, and friends in the church of Jesus Christ. Nancy and I have three children and four grandchildren. The delight of family is one of life's greatest joys and we are grateful for God's grace every day in our lives as we model what was modeled to us in the gospel.

I love to hike, work in the woods, read, write, collect books and explore this planet God has created for us with my wife Nancy. We enjoy traveling together and discovering new places and things to do. 

I grew up going to church and knew the Bible stories. I had many people in my life who cared for me. Despite these things, the church was something I did, not something that made an impact in my everyday life. When I was 17, I was confronted with being fake and putting on a show by my youth pastor. I was mad and bitter, but after many days and weeks, I knew it was because he was right. I started following Jesus and actually living out what I already knew. After graduating from Bible college I got married in 2009 and worked many jobs over the course of 3-4 years. I eventually landed back in Iowa working with people with disabilities which led to me getting a job in Cedar Rapids in 2015. We only looked at two churches and never needed to look elsewhere after we attended Veritas. I still remember one of the first messages at the DoubleTree, Jake said the line, Happiness over Godliness is foolishness. We had found our home. I served in the tech and worship team for about 4 years and in the Summer of 2019, I was asked to come on staff at Veritas. My wife and I have 3 kids who keep us humble and bring us so much joy. Many things have changed since I started following Jesus and even though I still have many struggles and sins God continues to use me to point kids, students, and families to Jesus each and every week. 

I enjoy listening to and playing music, sports, the Iowa Hawkeyes (wrestling and football), doing woodworking projects, talking/tasting/making BBQ, and hanging out with my wife and kids.