special limited time offer
Purchase multiple copies of either of my books for group study and I’ll work with your church or group to schedule a live online Q&A session over Zoom, free of charge.
upcoming events
I teach almost every Sunday at Trinity Mennonite Church (Glendale, AZ). You can catch the livestream on YouTube or check out the series archive on Trinity’s website. Or better yet, come see us in person.
Here are a few other events coming up:
- February 7, 2024 – March 27, 2024 (Wednesday nights) — Rediscovering a Better Christian Story, online discussion group with Jesus Collective
- Registration opening soon
- March 1-2, 2024 — Ohio Mennonite Conference annual conference (Plains City, OH)
- September – November 2024 (Wednesday nights) — Interpreting the Bible Through the Lens of Jesus, online class with Jesus Collective
- Stay tuned for registration details
- January 6 – March 24, 2025 (Monday nights) — Formation for Ministry: Practicing the Way of Jesus, online graduate course with Northern Seminary
- February 10-13, 2025 — Church of the Brethren clergy women’s retreat (Winter Park, FL)
my offerings
I have experience speaking to groups with quite diverse theological backgrounds. I am comfortable standing on big stages but also sitting on a stool engaging an audience in open dialogue. I want your group to experience something in our time together that captures their imagination, renews their hope, and changes their lives.
I offer keynotes, workshops, and short courses.
Some of the topics I’m asked to speak on most frequently:
Jesus-centered Christianity. Understanding and embracing a bigger gospel. How re-grounding Christian faith in Jesus as the full revelation of God can address some of the biggest questions and hang-ups people have about contemporary Christianity. How a Jesus-centered approach transforms everything from our image of God to relationship to scripture, identity, power, individualism, difference, and disagreement.
Interpreting the Bible through the lens of Jesus. Why to interpret the Bible through the lens of Jesus and how this is different than other approaches to biblical interpretation. How to practice interpretation of various parts of scripture including troubling texts of Old Testament violence in the light of Jesus.
Depolarizing the church. How the church can witness through unity in an age of division by defining its faith by the shared center instead of disputed boundaries. How to practice healthy disagreement. What it looks like to love the enemy you may worship beside.
The role and work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit’s relationship to Jesus and role in the everyday Christian life. How normal people can listen for and hear the voice of God. How to practice communal discernment of God’s will and desires.
Contemporary preaching. How to construct sermons that engage audiences with short attention spans. The use of story and metaphor in preaching. Dialogic teaching techniques. Introduction to preaching workshops for those finding their voice and advanced preaching workshops for experience preachers looking to expand their communication toolkit.
I’m open to inquiries for in-person or online events and am happy to consider other topics that are tailored to the needs of your audience or event.
what you can expect
I give 100% to every engagement, whether the group is large or small.
Before preparing for a speaking engagement, I schedule a conversation with the event planners to understand as clearly as possible the needs of the particular audience as well as the goals of the planners. This allows me to tailor my presentation to the specific group involved.
My goal is always that people leave with greater hope and excitement for Christian faith as well as equipped with practical tools to help move their journey forward.
Compensation varies by the nature of the event and audience. I’m happy to discuss this.
How to reach me
To open a conversation about having me speak for your group or event, reach out through my contact page. Be sure to tell me a bit about your event, your audience, and your goals.
past events
- Day of Jubilee, Food for the Hungry (2023)
- Jesus Collective North American tour, keynote (2023)
- Anabaptist Study Bible Conference, keynote (2022)
- Unite Conference (2022)
- Woodland Hills Church (2022)
- 21st Century Preaching instructor, Canadian Mennonite University (2021)
- Waging Peace Conference with the Surge Network, keynote (2021)
- Mennonite Church USA National Convention, keynote (2021, 2019)
- Eastern Mennonite University School for Leadership Training, keynote (2021)
- The Meeting House (2021)
- Schrag Lectures at Messiah College, keynote (2020)
- Discover the Word (Our Daily Bread) week-long podcast series (2020)
- Mennonite Church British Columbia pastor’s retreat, keynote (2019)
- Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary commencement, keynote (2019)
- Missio Alliance National Conference (2015)