About Us

What Compels Us

After my time as a transitional senior pastor, I found myself in a season of questioning and rediscovery. I wrestled with hard questions about faith, Scripture, and mostly the church, often feeling uncertain about how to share these struggles without fear of judgment. It was humbling and challenging, but it led me to a deeper understanding of the richness of Scripture and the centrality of Jesus in God’s story.

Thankfully, this journey wasn’t one I walked alone. Susan and I, along with our youngest son and his wife, shared meaningful conversations that shaped and deepened our perspectives, even when we didn’t always reach the same conclusions. Those conversations reminded me of the importance of having a safe space to explore faith and ask honest questions. The words of Hebrews, encouraging us to hold fast to Jesus and continue to gather together, became an anchor in that season.

This study is our way of creating that kind of space—a welcoming environment where people can explore faith, engage with Scripture, and reconnect with others. Whether you’re questioning, rediscovering, or simply curious, we hope this group will offer you the same sense of connection and purpose that we’ve found.

Our Journey Together

Susan and I have spent over 35 years in ministry and missions, living and working in places like Papua New Guinea, China, and the U.S. Together, we’ve served in roles such as Bible translation, international relief and development, and leadership consulting.

Susan grew up as a missionary kid in Brazil, which gave her a unique cross-cultural perspective and a deep appreciation for the transformative power of Scripture. Her thoughtful, practical approach to faith creates a welcoming and supportive environment for others to explore and connect.

I’ve had the privilege of working in ministry leadership roles that ranged from guiding organizations through transitions to serving as a transitional senior pastor and helping a church through a challenging season of change. My faith journey has included wrestling with questions and rediscovering the beauty of Jesus and Scripture.

Through it all, we’ve increasingly desired to create a space to continue this journey with those in our local community. This study is a natural extension of that calling—a way to walk alongside others as we explore the scriptures together.

What Guides Us 

Introduction

As facilitators, we come to this study with a deep respect for Scripture and a belief in its power to reveal God’s story and shape our lives. These perspectives guide how we approach Scripture and the conversations we’ll have together. While this reflects where we are coming from, you are welcome to join us wherever you are on your journey.

This is not a space to debate or push agendas—it’s a place to explore faith, ask questions, and discover together. You don’t need to share these beliefs to join us—questions, doubts, and different perspectives are welcome.

God the Father

God is the Creator and Sustainer of all things, faithful and holy, abounding in love and justice. As the one true God, He has revealed Himself through history as deeply personal, inviting humanity to know Him, trust Him, and participate in His work to restore His creation. 

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (The Shema)
"Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might."

Additional References:Psalm 145:8–13; Isaiah 40:28–31; Exodus 34:6–7

Jesus Christ

Jesus is the culmination of God’s story and the continuation of His work to restore all things. Fully human and fully God, He entered the world, taking on human nature and living within a specific culture and context to reveal God’s love in action and proclaim the coming of His Kingdom. Through His life, teachings, death, and resurrection, Jesus fulfills God’s promises, brings reconciliation and eternal hope, and opens the way for all of creation to be renewed. He invites us to turn toward His Kingdom, embrace its values of love, justice, humility, and peace, and live as participants who reflect His character and purposes in the world. 

Colossians 1:15-20
"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in Him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible... He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He might come to have first place in everything. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross."

Additional References: John 1:1–14; Hebrews 1:1–3; Philippians 2:5–11

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is the presence of God, bringing life, truth, and renewal. From creation to today, the Spirit has been at work, guiding, empowering, and transforming God’s people. The Spirit invites us into deeper understanding, equips us to reflect God’s love, and enables us to participate in His ongoing work of restoration and renewal.

John 14:16-17
"And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, because He abides with you, and He will be in you."

Additional References: Genesis 1:2; Ezekiel 37:4-6; Acts 1:8; Romans 8:14–16

Scripture

Scripture is sacred and trustworthy, written by human authors in their cultural and historical contexts, guided by God, and brought to life by the Holy Spirit. It reveals God’s character, His purposes, and His redemptive story. Scripture also helps us understand our role as participants in His Kingdom. It invites us to wrestle with its beauty, wisdom, and challenges, guiding us to live in relationship with God.

Psalm 19:7-11
"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes... By them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."

Additional References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Luke 24:25-27

The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God is the restoration of heaven and earth into perfect unity under His reign. It is both present and future, where God’s justice, peace, and love reign perfectly. God is actively driving out corruption and renewing creation to align with His perfect design. This Kingdom is revealed throughout Scripture—in creation, the garden, the tabernacle, the temple, Jesus’ life and ministry, the global community of His people, and ultimately in the new creation described in Revelation.

Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament promises of the Kingdom through His life, death, and resurrection and revealed its true nature. He brought the Kingdom near, inviting humanity to turn toward God’s reign and live as participants who embody its values of love, justice, humility, and peace. As His representatives, we are called to cultivate and reflect His Kingdom in our lives and communities, acting as outposts of His restoration project.

While we live in the "already but not yet" reality of the Kingdom’s presence, we affirm the promise that Jesus will return to bring the Kingdom to its ultimate fulfillment. At that time, He will restore all things, creating a new heaven and new earth where God dwells with His people, and His perfect reign brings eternal wholeness and joy.

Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord’s Prayer)
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one."

Additional References:Isaiah 52:7; Matthew 6:9–13; Revelation 21:1–5; Luke 17:20–21

Humanity’s Condition and Calling

Humanity is created in the image of God, reflecting His creativity, purpose, and love. In the beginning, God declared His creation, including humanity, to be "very good" (Genesis 1:31). As image-bearers, we are called to represent God’s character and purposes within creation, cultivating, stewarding, and reflecting His goodness in the world.

However, humanity often chooses paths that diverge from God’s design, leading to brokenness and separation from Him. This separation distorts our relationship with God, one another, and creation itself. While this choice has introduced pain, corruption, and disconnection into the world, God’s love and purpose for humanity remain steadfast.

Through Jesus, God invites us into reconciliation—restoring our relationship with Him and enabling us to reflect His image as participants in His Kingdom. In Jesus, we find hope and freedom from brokenness, as He draws us into a renewed purpose of living in harmony with God, others, and creation.

Romans 8:19–23 (NRSV)

"For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies." 

Additional References: Genesis 1:26–31; Deuteronomy 30:19–20; Romans 3:23–24

Community

Community is central to God’s purposes. Together, we reflect God’s Kingdom through shared worship, learning, generosity, and service. This shared life includes acts of generosity, mutual care, and fellowship, embodying God’s love in the world. While this study is not a church or replacement for one, it is a space for exploration and connection as we walk alongside others in community.

Acts 2:42-47
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers... All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need."

Additional References: Acts 2:42–47, Acts 4:32–35, John 13:34–35, Ephesians 4:11–13, Colossians 3:12–14, Hebrews 10:24–25

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to love God and love others, reflecting His character in our lives and communities. Flowing from this love, we are called to proclaim the good news of His Kingdom and live as His ambassadors, representing His justice, peace, and compassion in the world.

2 Corinthians 5:18-20
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation... We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."

Additional References: Genesis 12:2–3; Luke 4:18–19; Matt 28:18–20; Revelation 7:9–10