About Us

Bret

I grew up in a Christian household with both parents seeking to raise me in the discipline of the Lord. They won my respect for their “religious” commitments, but I had no desire for spiritual things. Still, I attended the local Presbyterian Church (USA) with them. By age sixteen, I devoted myself mainly to making money through means such as welding and lawn-care. Attending the local church, then, became another one of these means; it was looked upon by others as a noble deed, and I used the ongoing relationships for my own financial ends. This continued until my senior year of high school.

At this time, I began building relationships with a group of students who attended a Baptist church. They invited me to come with them to church one evening. There I heard a simple presentation of the Gospel, and watched several dramas portraying the life of Jesus and the meaning of his cross. Afterwards, the Lord graced me not only with understanding, but with the faith to see that justification only comes through Christ and his finished work. The Lord saved me that night.

Shortly after that evening, the Lord used several people to disciple me within that same Baptist church. The father of a close friend of mine took me under his wing and led me through thirty weeks of training in the word and basic Christian doctrine. Additionally, the youth minister devoted time to me, seeing to it that I continued to grow in the faith. At home, my parents persistently asked me questions concerning my faith, and I too watched them live out the Gospel in their relationships with others. These events (along with our growing love for biblical preaching) lead my family to leave the Presbyterian Church and to join the Baptist church. Together we enjoyed great spiritual growth in the Lord.

After graduating high school, I had a great burden for the youth still attending our former church, because they were not receiving biblical teaching. Thus, I filled a part-time leadership position there in order to teach them. During my two-and-a-half years as their youth leader, I watched a two-hour Wednesday “Game Night” transform into a two-hour Bible study without games. It was at these Bible studies and during my preparation to teach them that I experienced the power of the word of God to change and save lives, both mine and those who listened.

Together, the Lord used discipleship, biblical preaching, Bible study, and observed transformation to grow my relationship with him. As a result, I was no longer money-driven, but kingdom-driven; the church was no longer a means to my financial ends, but a place for giving and a community in need of genuine Christian devotion; the faith my parents embraced was no longer simply “good for them”, but necessary for me to have life in Christ as well; and I was no longer dead to spiritual things, but alive to what the Scriptures communicated concerning the Son of God.

I have been married to my incredible wife, Rachel Ann, for two years now, and more recently have been richly blessed with our first son, Luke Allen. We live in Fort Worth, Texas, and currently I am working on my PhD in New Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. We have been extremely blessed to be members at our local assembly, Redeemer Church, where I manage ”The Book Nook” and where Rachel and I both enjoy teaching the 3-4 year old Sunday School class.

Most influential preacher: John Piper
Favorite deceased authors: John Owen and John Bunyan
Favorite living author: D. A. Carson
Favorite musician: Explosions in the Sky (instrumental); Chris Tomlin (single)
Sport of Choice: Baseball
Meal of Choice: Rachel’s Zupa Toscana with Home-made Italian Bread

Brandon

I can’t write this in the third person, so I’m using “I” all over the place. I am currently working on an M. Div. in Christian Ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, located in Louisville, KY. We moved here in January of 2007 and have, since then, been members at Sojourn Community Church. By “we” I mean my wife, Bethan, and myself. We’ve been married since July 15, 2006. I consider Bethan a tangible expression of God’s love for me, as he teaches me about himself through her ministry to me. She is undoubtedly my best friend and the person I desire to learn about Jesus with the most.

Brief testimony: Serious thoughts about Jesus began happening when I arrived at Texas A&M University in College Station. Through the ministry of a local church there, I was convinced of my sin and God’s holiness; I knew I was bound for hell. I do not know the moment I truly trusted in Christ. But I do know that around that time I began wanting to know Jesus. The Lord faithfully provided me with a church family (and I do mean family) and some godly brothers introduced me to solid books and sermons. I met Bethan at our pastor’s house in a small-group ministry. I was a new Christian and had other things on my mind, so it was a while before I took interest in her. But the sovereign Lord saw to it that we were put together and, after 3 long years of dating and 17 even longer months of being engaged, we were married. As for now, we love living in Louisville and we love our church. Pray that we would obediently follow the Lord wherever he calls us next.

Most influential preacher: John Piper
Favorite deceased author: Two: 1) John Calvin – so thankful that reading The Institutes was an assignment in seminary. 2) Martin Luther – so dang entertaining.
Favorite living author: I know it’s a repeat, but…John Piper. Seriously, Future Grace and Let the Nations be Glad have been of inestimable value in my life (I could also throw in there God is the Gospel).
Favorite musician: Tie between Iron & Wine and Explosions in the Sky. I’ll gladly listen to either all day.
Sport of Choice: Basketball
Meal of Choice: Bethan’s lasagna or feta chicken.