Brad and I were cabin mates at SLT back in 1996. Bunk beds. Brad on top, and I was on the bottom. SLT stands for “School of Leadership Training” — a month-long Christian leadership training camp held at Cedar Campus, in the upper peninsula of Michigan, in July of every year.  That month was filled with my falling asleep in the middle of Brad’s sentences, Brad’s having to listen to me snore (and fall asleep in the middle of my own sentences), and other great camp stories.  Not the least of them left me asking at one point…  why did Brad run out across the point in his underwear?

Brad has the spiritual gift of Apostleship. After college, God called Brad to Chattanooga, TN to start a ministry to the Hispanics of the area. He always knew his stay down there would be a few years, and sure enough, four years later, he spent some time with friends in Ohio, but has since returned to the NW suburbs of Chicago, where he grew up.  He got married in late 2004 to a mutual friend of ours, Lisa, whom we also met at SLT.  Now he works with Hispanics here in Chicagoland.

If Brad has an addiction, clearly it’s coffee. In fact, when I built my house, I bought a coffee machine specifically for his visits (I don?t have the same drinking problem he does). He’s a late night guy, a free spirit, pushes the envelope, loves God with all his heart, plays guitar like a fiend (especially to clear his mind), always running late, and thinks deep thoughts about almost everything.

Brad has been used by the Father in some really amazing ways.  I believe strongly that his ministry is just getting started, and that I’ll be there for the duration.

A couple pictures…