The mission
Al wants people to receive God’s love through Jesus and give it away in their own lives. He talks about church as a community and connects that idea to the Greek word ekklesia, which he explains as people called together.
Playoff baseball
A question from the previous guest leads to a 2005 Astros playoff game. Al accepted a daytime ticket and landed on the front of the Houston Chronicle lifestyle section in a story about people who skipped work for baseball.
From Colorado to Kingwood
After earning an English degree, Al spent four years in seminary studying Hebrew, Greek, scripture, and church history. He explains how invitations from churches in northwest Colorado and then Kingwood, in 1990, confirmed his sense of calling.
Faith beyond the building
When Nathan asks how he balances caring for the congregation with reaching new people, Al describes how the two connect. As people grow in their faith, they can share it where they already live, work, learn, and play.
What makes him proud
Asked what makes him proud, Al changes the word to grateful. He talks about the people he’s worked with at his church and through the Harvest Partnership, a church-planting network. Later, he tells a story about asking someone in his discipleship group to pray for him.
When people walk away
Al says one of the hardest parts of the job is watching someone he knows stop pursuing faith. He’s glad when someone finds another church. The loss he describes comes when a relationship breaks and he worries about how that person is doing.
Off the clock
Al used to run marathons and ultramarathons. After an injury, he switched to walking, biking, and swimming laps at the Y. His idea of a fun day is still a long bike ride.