I have had a blessed life.
I grew up in an incredible home. Had one of the best relationships with my parents (particularly my dad) a kid could ever hope for. Was grounded in my faith from an early age and have been humbled by what God has allowed me to be part of for his kingdom.
- God has blessed me beyond comprehension with an amazing Godly woman and an incredible family that is wholly devoted to Him
- God used my life as part of teams that have planted several great successful churches
- God used me to personally shepherd and disciple over 100 people
- By the Grace of God, I was used to rebuild a seminary (as the president) to over 400% growth in 2 years and build over 30 new courses with kingdom partners
- By the Grace of God, I have founded a YouTube channel with 130,000 subscribers
- By the Grace of God, I have written numerous Theology books and hold a Th.D.
- Together we built a photography company nominated Wisconsin’s best photographers over 15 times
- Together we have seen more than 30 countries
- I was able to compete in professional soccer in Europe, adventure races, marathons, various skiing races and competitions, and firearms various disciplines
Whatever I have touched God has prospered. Thank you Yahweh.
I have spent a great deal of my life studying the Bible and as I look back listing all the things above, it seems like vanity; I am tempted to agree with Solomon as he started out Ecclesiastes, “Futility of futilities! All is futility.” Yet in the same breath, I feel I have journeyed well before the LORD. Transparently I could have done much better. There have been bumps, bruises, and hardship at times, but also unending joy. There are stands I made that I wish in hindsight I would have instead turned the other cheek and walked away from; and there were times when I walked away, and I wished I would have been more persistent to stay the course. But regardless of my choices the LORD has given grace and continued to cover me with his providential hand.
The Qohelet writes a dispassionate assessment of human existence, concluding that nothing really matters much over the course of eternity. However, I am not sure I agree with the teacher said to be the wisest of all men. But that is the mystery of and the contranym of Solomon – the Wisest man who lived the “least wisest” life. But maybe that is exactly what we are supposed to read out of the wayward narrative, perhaps the most discouraging book in the Bible.
As Heschel would say, I need something that carries me out of the empirical somnambulist. That something is the Hebrew integration of ritual with faith. I have become a partaker in OUR redemption from exile. Today as I reflect back, I couldn’t be more satisfied with the course I have chosen, yes there were some rough moments and there will continue to be. The exodus began with Abraham, and it won’t end for many generations of faithful followers until the kingdom of God is established on earth. You and I are in that traveling community, the ones who are in the great waiting. But we are standing still, we are in motion, “exodusing,” leaving behind what interferes with the intended journey on a pathway that despite some tribulation culminates with joy. Thank you, Lord, for a beautiful plan.
I was born in 1974. I am 2 here in 1976. My dad was a preacher in Indiana, Iowa, and New Mexico for most of my life as a child. I remember the church memories the most. Hunting for rattle snakes, riding horses, building legos, fishing (my dad was a pro bass fisherman), and drinking from the garden hose with my faithful dog brandy.
This is a few years later in 1980 with my two favorite people that have now been gone for quite some time but are also still with me every day. I sure loved my dad and my grandpa… and there is that dog! At least her rear end! She went everywhere with me.
We moved from South Haven Indiana to Lake Geneva in the late 1980’s for my parents to start the JH at Faith Christian School. I am number 22 (ironically if you know the ontology of 44). I didn’t really like basketball, I was a soccer kid, but it was good for me eventually being part of 2 state championships as the starting point guard all 4 years of high school. All those years of my dad playing 1-1 games with me in the driveway paid off I guess.
I knew God was calling me, so I went to Moody in 1993 where I studied Biblical theology under Dr. John Walton. I played soccer for the Chicago kickers which gave way to the MLS Chicago Fire who I had the privilege of practicing regularly with in their first couple of years as they won the championship. I also was able to play soccer in Wales for Conway United. In 1997 I graduated early and enrolled at the UW to study Curriculum and Instruction (the first of many advanced degrees) and took a job teaching at Faith Christian School with my parents! I also started back 180 while I was there which was a college ministry at Calvary Community Church and began to be mentored by Dr. Howard Matson where I also was shepherded by his good friend Dr. DA Carson.
I bought our first house just before we were married. I transitioned from Calvary to be a part of the team that started Lakeland Community Church and have such fond memories of those early ministry days. After a few years, I switched gears and helped found the River Church. I continued studies at the UW eventually rekindling my relationship with Keith N. Schoville who served as the chairman of the UW CANES department. He was also the president of the Near East Archaeological Society and professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. I became friend with Dr. Michael Heiser and acquaintances with Dr. Tim Mackie (currently of the Bible project) as I pursued a Ph.D.
In 2001 I met Krista. I was (and continue to be) good friends with the Mielke family and had little Karli ask Krista out for me to our first date! She said yes and we were married a few short months later.
She rocked my world and still does nearly 25 years later. I called my dad on the way home from my first date and told him this is the woman I would marry. We continued to pursue Jesus together and travel the world on missions.
We got a puppy the same year we got married and named her Charlet Moser after an Ice Climbing company. We sent her away to hunting school and visited her on the weekends for 2 months. She became one of the greatest hunters I have ever seen. We would take here to the boundary waters and she refused to get in the canoe and swam 20-30 miles a day next to us.
Lots of great trips to Alaska and many other adventures with great friends in this era. Great skiing memories!
In 2005 we welcomed Ty! The doctors said he wouldn’t make it. He was in the NICU for 6 weeks and was lived to be soooo healthy and full of life. He was a miracle baby. But a few days after he was born, we unexpectantly lost my father. It was the hardest time in our life, Somehow, we managed smiles in this photo taken shortly after when Ty came home to us. Praise God.
In 2008 Will was born! Ty was so happy to have a little brother! But it wasn’t long before Ty’s perfect rows of trains were being destroyed by “baby Destro” as Will became affectionately known as by his big brother.
Skiing has always been a big part of my life. I competed in college in the FIS Freestyle World Cup – Moguls & Aerials as well as the Bud Mogul Tour. I also got to be part of the World Extreme Ski Championships (WESC) in Alaska’s Wasatch Mountains where I met Doug Coombs (now passed) and Glen Plake who I still 4 wheel with occasionally. Krista and I spent nearly every night skiing with Andy and Abbey at the Grand Geneva.
The early years of kids were so fun. Krista and I continued to travel, make great friendships, coach, and be immersed into all kinds of ministry together.
This is the “boys trip” to ALASKA with George, Russ, Sonny, and Ty in 2009 (The trip my dad always wanted to take.)
Kade came to us at the end of 2009 making life oh so sweet! The Ideal Impressions team (as I have been a tent maker in ministry most of my life out of biblical conviction) was growing and ministry at the River was flourishing.
Ahhhhh the trip to Greece!
Reid was born in 2011 completing the family (but also making family photo shoots very challenging!!! (love this little kiss though!) The River was super great, I started competing in off road Rock Crawling events, and life was in full swing!
Reid was in the NICU for many weeks (and was also a miracle baby) and came home completely healthy. Praise Jesus!
Will Went to the Boundary waters in 2012 on his 3 year old trip.
Kade Would go to Moab on his three year old trip in 2013, & I started building hard core Jeeps and lost all my hair that year!
This was a great era in life! So many great family adventures!
2013-2014 images
Reid’s three year old trip to California with my great life friend Troy!
2015 – Grandma turned 90! WOW Also shot the 2nd biggest dear in WI to date, the 61 point buck that year!
In 2016 we lost a legend. My Grandpa was one of the best! I built my first comp buggy that year too. We also started attending Mt Zion Church in 2016.
2017 was a big year in many ways. I finished my Doctoral Degree and started working with Covenant Theological Seminary teaching Ancient Near East Studies. I also started “EXPEDITION 44” as a passion pursuit not knowing what it might turn into. We opened the Range. Krista lost her mom to ALS this year.
2018 – I started the Expedition 44 YouTube Channel this year and hit 10K subscribers in the first year!
2019 Matt came on board to x44 and we hit 50,000 subscribers later that year. My wife and I coached Soccer at Mt Zion
2020-2025 has been unreal. In many ways I don’t think it could be much better. Over these years I became the Head of Theology at Covenant Theological Seminiary and eventually the President. Ideal Impressions and White River Field and Freedom thrived, Expedition 44 jumped to over 130,000 subscribers. I wrote several books including the This is the way Series. I built a lot of off-road project vehicles; we started Range nights and eventually TOV. God has certainly blessed our family. Today I consider where we have been and what God has for the next chapter. The boys won various soccer tournaments including the WI Badger State Games, and Ty went to state in track two years in a row and received a full scholarship to Wisconsin Lutheran college just 3 turns and 36 minutes away!
50 in Hebraic thinking is the year of jubilee — yovel in Hebrew — following seven cycles of seven-year shmita, or sabbatical. To another favored 50! Thank you to my best friends and family. Shalom
EXPEDITION 44 