My Calling

I did not grow up in a Christian home, nor enjoy the benefits of a church community. Indeed, most of my first three decades on this planet were decidedly apathetic toward anything dealing with God, faith, or spirituality. I saw life as a race, and the prize for running it well was anything that fed my self-absorbed ego. Indeed, in a perverse way, my upbringing did teach me to know a god, to love a god, and to worship a god…so long as the god’s name was Art DeBruyn.

The pivotal change happened when Jesus finally barged into my life to such a degree that I could no longer avoid the reality of his existence. In that moment, I surrendered my life to him. A short time later, March 16, 1997 to be exact, I gave my testimony in front of a gathered group of believers and was baptized. At the time, I really didn’t anticipate my life to change as much as it has. Within the short span of four years I left my profession as a trial attorney to become a youth pastor, and one year later, enrolled in seminary. Even then, I never envisioned that he would then call me to serve as a lead pastor of two different churches. It only confirms the truth that Jesus accepts us where he finds us, but he doesn’t leave us there. 

In the process, I have discovered that attending to my faith supplies nourishment, acting with virtue and integrity provides shelter, searching for wisdom brings light, and above all, seeking the Lord in everything I do gives protection. My only wish is to assist all fellow travelers of faith undertake the daily steps of the journey through ministry, coaching, and writing.

-Michigan State University, BA in Criminal Justice

-Southern Illinois University School of Law, Juris Doctorate

-Western Theological Seminary, Masters of Divinity

-U.S. Army Military Police

Youth Pastor - 5th Reformed Church, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Lead Pastor - Crestview Church, Boulder, Colorado

Lead Pastor - Center Grove Church, Greenwood, Indiana