Responsibilities: Church Planting Intern
Family: Married August 10, 2002 to Elise. Son Oliver Simon born Sept 2 2006. Son Basil Alexander born March 22, 2008
Hometown: born in Perth, Australia - now a Canadian citizen - raised mostly in suburban Philadelphia to Ukrainian parents who were born and raised in Paraguay. We grew up speaking Ukrainian at home and eating pirogies and empanadas with equal gusto. Obviously, as kids we didn't know any differently, but we grew up mixing Eastern European, South American, and American culture with varying degrees of success. It always kept things interesting!
Education & Experience: I graduated Messiah College, in Grantham PA, in 1998 with a degree in Biology. A few months later I began working at a web development shop. It was the height of the dot com boom and business was booming. However, not long after that I met a young church planter in Philadelphia and agreed to help start a new church. I worked closely with him through the birth of the new church, eventually accepting a part-time position there. Four years after the launch of the church, I quit the IT industry and started working at church full-time. My wife, Elise, was completely supportive even though it was a total life change for us. I immediately began taking some online courses through Southern Seminary. Two years after that it became apparent that I should finish school in a more timely fashion, so we sold our house and moved here to Louisville in the summer of 2007.
Vision for Church Planting/Future ministry: The Northeast corridor of America is about as un-churched a place as any you can find outside of nations that are actively hostile to Christianity. It is amazing that in just several generations the church has retreated dramatically in the face of growing secularism. From Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and down to D.C. the retreat is evident in shrinking congregations and mammoth empty buildings. But, there is a sense of change that is inescapable. Some churches are thriving, and many new works are underway. There is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation in what the Lord will do through his people in these areas. Elise and I hope to move back to the Philadelphia area and be part of a new church start and impact the region with the gospel message.
What brought you to Sojourn?: Lets see, how to say this without sounding offensive - first impressions can be so wrong sometimes. When we first visited I was totally turned off by the music and found the preaching not very compelling. What really pulled us in was a group of people who were so authentic about their lives and their faith that it was impossible to resist. The culture of the people at Sojourn overwhelmed us so that we felt like we were with our family when we were there. Beyond anything else, it was the people of Sojourn that brought us here. I am quite happy to say that we now consider Sojourn's excellent music ministry one of the best bands in world and the inspired preaching of the Sojourn elders a goal for which to strive. Like I said, first impressions can really be wrong!
Favorite movie/ TV show: Lost, Heroes, 30-Rock, Office, Friday Night Lights (mostly all on DVD - its really the best way to watch TV shows)
Favorite music/ band: Low-key: Iron & Wine, Bright Eyes, Wilco, Damien Rice. Mid-tempo: Death Cab For Cutie, The National, Tegan & Sara, Matt Pond PA, Beirut, Coldplay. High-Energy: Angels & Airwaves, Arcade Fire, The Killers, Muse, Silversun Pickups, My Chemical Romance, Jimmy Eat World, Weezer.
Favorite book other than the Bible: To Kill A Mockingbird, Killer Angels, Into the Wild
Hobbies/interests: Hanging out with the family doing anything; basketball, volleyball, sports of all varieties, marine aquariums, sports video games, eating out at fun restaurants…