Marci and I are celebrating twenty-four years of marriage this month. So we decided to mark the occasion by traveling to Charleston, South Carolina, for a three-day, two-night getaway. Charleston is a lovely city, with a rich history, distinctive urban … Continue reading
I recently finished reading Wendell Berry’s novel, The Memory of Old Jack. It’s another installment in his series of fictional stories of fictional people of a fictional town called Port William, Kentucky. But I rarely encounter characters and places as real as … Continue reading
I think I might have just completed my most recent personal hiking challenge: walking every step of every trail in Ohio’s Geauga County. But then again, I’ve thought that before. Maybe you can help me in my quest and fill in any trails I might … Continue reading
A High School Prom can feel as though it is equal parts coronation, wedding, and money pit. It involves the special dresses and accessories and traditions… And, to be honest, it can be overwhelming. But I’m really proud of the … Continue reading
This has been a special Sunday: a Send-Off Sunday. We had the privilege of commissioning two brand-new pastors for a team of ten brand-new church planters trusting God to start a brand-new H2O Church at Youngstown State University with the … Continue reading
My wife, Marci, comes from a long line of strong women. Marchelle Louise Anderson-Asp, daughter of Fleta Louise Hettinger-Anderson… daughter of Virginia Beatrice Fackler-Hettinger… daughter of Fleta Marie Pittinger-Fackler… daughter of Ida Belle Baker-Pittinger… Going all the way back to … Continue reading
I believe it was 2015 when our church first started using pancakes as a way to connect with bar-hopping college students in downtown Kent. We’d heard about the strategy from some other ministry leaders in the Pacific Northwest. And since … Continue reading
After the snows of late-January and early-February, I seriously thought that we’d have total snow cover through most of the month of March. But Spring surprised me. Spring is lovely like that. It feels like a surprise every year! Warm … Continue reading
It’s comical how many permutations of the name “ManMaker” exist within the H2O Network, within our own church, and even within our own staff team. ManMaker… Manmaker.. Man-Maker… Man Maker… Man Maker’s… Man-makers… Man’s Maker’s… I think the time may … Continue reading
I’ve been friends with Jim for over a quarter of a century. I love him like a brother. But sometimes, he makes me roll my eyes. I cringe at his football-coach fashion… He has a way of making bombastic statements … Continue reading