I would be remiss if I went into the new year (and the new decade) without first investing the time to reflect upon and express gratitude to God for some of my most memorable moments from the last 10 years.

2010

Surrendered to God’s call on my life to go into full-time vocational ministry.
Hired as Interim High School Ministry Director at Crossroads Church in Fremont.
Re-committed myself to writing consistently.

2011

Made the full-time High School Ministry Director at Crossroads Church in Fremont.
Began formation of Church Plant Core Team.
Ran a marathon in Sacramento.

2012

Called to plant a church in the city of Oakland.
Bowled a 235 on my birthday!
Ordained as a Pastor.

2013

Moved to the city of Oakland.
Planted THEMOVEMENT.CHURCH.

2014

Celebrated 10 years of marriage to Rebekah in the Dominican Republic.
Ran a half-marathon in under 2 hours.

2015

A very rough year.

2016

Brought Merritt Paws into the family!
Ran a marathon in San Francisco with Spencer and AJ.
Enjoyed Hawaii with the church fam.
Enjoyed Palm Springs with my siblings.
Cried watching Lionel Richie live in Las Vegas!
Completed (barely) a Super Spartan Race with my friend Mervin.

2017

Started @airjcollector on Instagram and was featured on Complex and Complex Sneakers.
Grew out my hair…and my beard.
Cast the vision of EightX for THEMOVEMENT.CHURCH.
Ran a marathon in Sacramento with Spencer in under 5 hours.

2018

Preached at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church.
Enjoyed a vacation in Hawaii with the Romero’s.
Preached at the Acts 29 US West Pastors & Wives Retreat.
Got a picture with Tim Keller!
Got a severe bacterial infection in my right eye.

2019

Wrote a book and signed with a publisher.
Bought a home!
Enjoyed a 3-month sabbatical.
Preached at the Acts 29 US West Conference.

To write out this list is to see in plain view God’s faithfulness and favor in my life. To look at what God has accomplished in and through my life over the last 10 years can be easily summarized in just one word…GRACE.

And I’m convinced because it was grace that brought me through the last 10 years, it will be grace that takes me through the next 10 years. Praise God for GRACE!