Corey, tell us a little bit about yourself:
Jamie and I are originally from Warrensburg, Missouri. I attended the University of Central Missouri and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. After college, Jamie and I moved to Kansas City, MO so I could pursue my Master of Divinity at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. My interests include reading, watching/playing sports, movies, music, and going on adventures with my wife.
As a pastoral assistant what will be your primary role in serving the church?
As a pastoral assistant my roles will be giving Joel his coffee and laughing at his jokes. In all seriousness, my main tasks right away will be getting to know the members of MHC, administration and logistics, expanding the teaching ministry at MHC, strengthening present structures and sustaining present ones, assisting Shane and other volunteers at CSF, and building relationships within the Community.
As a recent seminary grad, what were the big takeaways from your education?
My time at Midwestern was engaging and helpful. It taught me that theology and sound doctrine are important, not merely for education sake, but for the sake of the building up of the local church.
What is your prayer and hope for the community of MHC?
My prayer and hope for MHC is that we would be a people who think well about the gospel, who are united under the gospel, and who are declaring and displaying the gospel. Theology is not just for pastors or theologians, but it is for every Christian. I pray that you would know your God and cherish his gospel. Many of us come from different backgrounds and have different stories, but we all have been saved by the grace of God. I pray that we would press into our relationships as brothers and sisters in Christ. And lastly, I pray that we would be a people who love our neighbors well by showing them the love of God and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
What have you been learning lately as a follower of Christ?
I have been learning as a follower of Christ to take my pursuit of godliness more seriously. After studying 2 Peter and Hebrews 10-12, I am struck by the serious call to endure in the faith. How do we do this? The author of Hebrews charges us to “…lay aside every hinderance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:1-2).
