Dara and I went on a three-day beach trip to clarify the vision for Center City Church in 2014. The church we planted in 2010 was firmly rooted in the Uptown Charlotte community at that point. The idea was to break away, enjoy time together, and prayerfully consider the way we would articulate the vision and values of our beautiful church family. We returned home three days later with a family mission statement and five family values. ----------------------- Huge Post-It Notes are one of my love languages. You know the kind that you can stick on the wall and see from across the room? Those...

**I wrote this article for RELEVANTmagazine.com (published on September 14, 2020). ------------------------------ As Harold put away the groceries he received from his church’s food pantry, he found himself treating his cabinets and kitchen appliances with more care, the way people do when they are guests in an acquaintances home. He knew that soon a stranger would occupy his apartment. Unsure of where he and his sons would land come January, Harold fought against the anxiety and impending doom that 2020 carried in all its unprecedented glory. He could almost hear the proverbial clock...

The night before the release of my first book, Neighborliness: Finding the Beauty of God Across Dividing Lines, I want to introduce you to the team behind the message at the Fedd Agency. (From left to right in the pic above) My agent, Esther Fedorkevich, has been a friend for over twenty years. She always believed in me and this message, but she also courageously told me I wasn’t ready a few years ago when we first talked about working together. She told me to patiently wait for the message to form in my heart first. She told me she would be there when I was ready. This book is the fruit of...

I am so grateful to live in America, but I want to live in an America that is fully awake to the experience of our neighbors. People all over the country are celebrating the July 4th holiday. On this date in 1776, 13 American colonies declared independence from England. However, did you know that many people of color in our country do not celebrate July 4th? Instead, many prefer to celebrate on June 19th each year - known as Juneteenth. This was the date - 91 years later on June 19, 1865 - that the final slaves were set free in Galveston, TX. To understand American history, we have to open...

Neighborliness: Finding the Beauty of God Across Dividing Lines is available NOW on all platforms (including Kindle, and Audiobook). Click here to view it on Amazon: https://rb.gy/okrsvq Also, we have a special running this week for $10/book at www.neighborliness.com. ------------------------------------ The message of neighborliness explores the greatest commandment: loving God and neighbors. Finding the beauty of God across dividing lines means that we need to take time to explore our hearts and figure out why racial and economic tension has been dividing us for so long. I think this book...

The thing that I’ve found that speaks the most in our relationships with people is intentionality. The way I see this playing out the most in my life is through parenting. Dara and I love our babies (they will always be our babies) so very much. They bring so much joy to our lives. Max, Mary, Jack, and Ben are my kids, my best friends, and my greatest teachers. Parenting has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, but parenting can be straight up hard. Dara and I are imperfect at the art of parenting, but we care deeply. We are intentional with our kids in our conversations, our...

I think someone needs to hear this story. I don't know why God heals some and not others. But I know that he can and does at times. I believe in miracles because I have experienced them in my own life. This is one of those stories. I also believe in God's presence in the midst of pain and suffering because I have experienced his love in those times, as well. If you are facing the turmoil, uncertainty, and grief of sickness, please know that God is with you. I pray that this testimony of his power will point past Dara, Max, and our family and straight to Jesus. You are not alone....

I just had my first conversation with a friend that has a friend that died from Covid-19. One degree of separation. Darrell is a true friend and brother. He stands 6'7" tall and towers over every room I've ever been in with him. He can hit a golf ball a country mile. He beats me every time we play. That pains me to admit on the internet. But it's true. More than anything, though, I see Jesus in Darrell. His eyes radiate the love of Jesus.  Darrell and I talked for thirty minutes today. He pastors a great church in West Charlotte and he is exposed to some of the most pressing needs in our...

"Ok David," the doctor said as he placed two q-tips in a hazardous materials bag, "We will get back to you in 3-5 days. Best of luck and please stay healthy." I looked into his eyes that were covered by an oversized face mask. I wondered what he was thinking. He was face-to-face with a stranger that may have an unknown disease directly at his fingertips. He was kind, confident, and communicative. He had tried to prepare me as best as possible for the fact that he was going to put a q-tip farther up my nose than I ever thought was humanly possible. He asked me multiple times how I was doing....