I spent thirteen years doing communications work under a different title.
From 2012 to 2025, I led two organizations as a pastor—first a 175-member institution in rural New York, then a 300-member institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The title said pastor. The work said communications director, creative producer, and change management lead.
I designed multi-format brand campaigns. I produced 4K documentary video and motion graphics. I composed original music for video. I wrote in the voice of three different executives. I led a website redesign from concept through launch. I built decision-support frameworks for a governing board navigating the most consequential transition in the organization's 75-year history. I co-designed and facilitated a community engagement series, gathered data from 103 participants, and authored the analytical reports that structured findings into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
Along the way I directed a 37-person team of musicians, production staff, and contractors—largely volunteers, led through influence rather than positional authority—managed a Communications Coordinator, and maintained a multi-year editorial calendar across six programming tracks.
Today I'm co-founding Common Good Church, a new nonprofit in Ann Arbor—building its brand identity, website, donor prospectus, and governance framework from a blank page. And I'm looking for a role where these skills are the job description, not the hidden curriculum: Director-level internal communications, strategic communications, change management communications, or creative direction.
Experience
Co-Founder & Communications Lead
Common Good Church · Ann Arbor, MI
Building a new nonprofit from the ground up: complete brand identity and website (commongoodannarbor.org), donor-facing prospectus with market analysis and a three-year operating budget, and bylaws for a Michigan ecclesiastical corporation. Read the case study →
Director of Communications & Creative Production
Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church · Ann Arbor, MI
Led all communications for a 300+ member organization through a multi-year denominational disaffiliation. Primary communications counsel to a 16-member governing board; directed a 37-person team; produced campaigns, video, photography, and the website redesign.
Executive Director & Communications Lead
Abbe Reformed Church · Clymer, NY
Operational and visionary lead for a 175-member organization with a staff of six. Board president, communications director, and primary creative producer—designed the brand identity from the ground up and produced weekly public programming.
Freelance Communications & Design
Higher education clients
Website redesigns and communications projects for Western Theological Seminary (full site redesign: IA, visual design, photography, copywriting), the Hope College Music Department, and the Veritas Forum at Hope College.
Skills & Tools
Executive & Strategic Communications
Messaging frameworks, executive speechwriting, stakeholder messaging, message sequencing, issues management, crisis communications, leadership counsel.
Content & Channels
Long-form narrative, newsletters, email campaigns, web content, social media strategy, editorial calendar management, community engagement, research communication.
Creative Production
Brand identity systems, campaign design, 4K video and documentary, motion graphics, photography, original music composition, print and digital materials.
Tools
Photoshop (advanced), Illustrator, InDesign, Final Cut Pro X (advanced), Motion, WordPress, Squarespace, Hootsuite, Google Analytics, YouTube SEO, AI-assisted workflows (Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini).
Background
B.Music, Hope College (2007). M.Div., Western Theological Seminary (2011). Seven years in Ann Arbor. The music degree isn't decorative—it trained the ear for composition, the eye for visual rhythm, and the discipline to produce work on deadline week after week.