I first came to Blacknall in the summer of 1986 as a freshman at Duke. During the 1990s, I moved several times but attended Blacknall when living in Durham, the city and the church being knit together in my heart. Return to Durham, return to Blacknall: Likely, this connection informs my current work with our Durham Ministries & Engagement Team. Then, in the great blizzard of January 2000, I came through the then thick wooden front doors and have attended steadily ever since. I was in the last new members’ class led by Ed Henegar.

Over these 20+ years, God has loved me lavishly through friendships and service at Blacknall. My son, Carl, now 25 and in his first year as a public defender in northern Virginia, was raised on the love and prayers of this congregation. And, in His mercy, the Lord has discipled me through adulthood to this season, wherein I work from home for a national technical assistance center supporting states managing their special education reporting, walk the Eno with Cortez (my Plott hound friend), and take enormous delight in popcorn, growing tomatoes, road trips, and splitting firewood.

My relationship with Jesus hums in the background of everything — it’s hard to put words to that love/conversation. I want to live in the world so mindful of my ransom and so consistent with the fiber of His love for me that there is no hiding, no fear, no danger, or opportunity for others to doubt His goodness.