My Higher Calling...
From childhood to adolescence, I considered becoming an architect, fireman, professional percussionist (I loved marching and symphonic band), or an evangelist (based loosely on a particular white suit I occasionally wore).

As a sophomore, I wanted to become a computer systems analyst because I enjoyed math and computers. That stuck. I began at College of the Mainland (COM), a 2-year community college, with a goal to earn a master's degree in computer programming. At the same time, I begin working as a part-time youth pastor. After a few years at COM, I completed my undergraduate education at the University of Houston - Clear Lake (UHCL), earning my Bachelor's of Arts in Computer Information Systems.

While I enjoyed programming computers, my calling was in youth ministry. So I earned my Master's of Arts in Religious Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS) and served as a youth pastor for 18 years. Since 2007, I've been working with students as an educational consultant (career and college planning) and completed my Certification of College Planning at the University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA).

Today, I am helping teenagers discover their calling as they pursue higher education. In Ephesians, Paul urged his readers to "live a life worthy of the calling" they had received (Ephesians 4:1). I launched Higher Calling on April 1 (or 4-1) to specifically provide students a source of information and encouragement as they pursue a four-year degree.

From coach to Director of Student Services, I worked for almost 13 years at Ennova Learning Solutions, a national career and college planning company. I served on the Partners in Education (P.I.E.) Committee and chairman of the Chamber Scholarship Sub-Committee with the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. I am or have been a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC), Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA), The Christian Business Network (Advocate Member), and a long-time member of the National Network of Youth Ministries (NNYM).

My wife and I recently adopted two boys! We attend Fellowship Church and volunteer with Traffick911, Samaritan's Purse, and serve as volunteer board members for Asher's Rainbow. I volunteer with Unfaulted, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, the Online Youth Empowerment Academy, and served on our homeowners association. I enjoy fly fishing, hiking, banging on things (aka. percussion), stingrays, vocabulary words, and snickerdoodles. Reach out and connect!

​You can also support the following...
     Created for Freedom (Twitter, Instagram, and Etsy) to help fight domestic minor human sex trafficking.
      Adopt Shop (Etsy) to support adoption journeys like ours (cutting boards, charms...).
      Essential Grace Oils (Order a Starter Kit) to discover the health benefits of using Young Living essential oils.

(Header Photo: The feet of UNC Wilmington students walking between classes.)

WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT (IEC)?
Not sure about hiring a private college planner. "Independent research shows that...more than 25% of four-year college placements involve an IEC" (IECA Insights Newsletter, 2016). If your student has a school or college readiness counselor who is a member of NACAC, then you might not need an IEC. Read these articles to help you make a wise decision.
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While attributed to advising college students, I believe this applies to students preparing for college as well.
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"... good advising may be the single most underestimated characteristic of a successful college experience."
- The Power of Good Advice for Students by Richard J. Light, Harvard University