I graduated from high school with the dream of becoming a carpenter. To that end I found a job working with a mid-sized construction company: starting at the bottom as a mason tender and working my way up the ladder to carpentry. Then the unexpected happened: I sense God’s call to enter the ministry through my denomination: the United Church of Christ. THAT was a surprise. However, I continue building homes and turning back to carpentry every Summer through college and beyond in order to engage in my first love. Even after I started in local church ministry I spend all my time off building homes with contractors. I field a lot of jokes and comments about the relationship of ministry and carpentry, but I take it all in stride.