We talked to DeVage to find out more:
Q: Can you start by telling us about yourself?
A: Originally, I am from the northeast corner of Montana. I lived there until I was 8-years-old and then we moved to Florida, where my dad was a golf pro for a few years. It was there that I also began my journey with Christ. When I was 10-years-old, I accepted Christ and was baptized. At that time, my family moved to Maryland and attended church regularly, but my dad admitted that my mom and I had something he didn't have. Soon after, dad was baptized too, and this re-launched our family. I owe my ministry to my dad. If it wasn't for my dad, I'd probably be a lawyer (a mean one). I went to college at Lincoln Christian University and completed my degree in Preaching with a minor in Youth Ministry. I followed up with a teaching degree from Wheaton University. During the next three years, I pursued my love of music, playing as a drummer in a band. However, God led me back to ministry — first to youth ministry, and then preaching, where I spent 10 years serving in Dallas, Texas. I joined the staff at Christ's Church as lead pastor in 2013. My passion is for people who haven't quite found what they're looking for in life, and playing a part in leading them to redemption and transformation.
When I’m not doing ministry work, I love spending time with my wife, Laura, and our two daughters, Ella and Natalie. We love the outdoors and this means lots of golf, random made up games in the yard, and walks in the park. Having meals together and going on vacations as a family are also very important to us. My other passions are music, photography, video, the arts, and the Florida Gators. If you ever have dinner with me, you’ll find that I am quick-witted, love to laugh, and never drink out of a straw (it creeps me out). My ultimate goal in life is “that it’s been evident that I’ve spent time with Jesus.”
Q: For those that haven’t been to Christ’s Church, can you tell us about the church?
A: Our church is a young and vibrant community of people that are not just from the Mason area, but all over this region. We have people from as far north as Dayton, as far east as Wilmington, and as far south as Covington, Ky. We have three services in two time slots on campus in Mason. They are 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in our auditorium and 10:30 a.m. in our chapel. We are also launching an online campus this fall that will be more than just log on and watch, but interactive and community-driven. This service will run live online with the same times as our on-site services. Not to mention, they will run each day of each week, as well.
Q: What do you love the most about your role?
A: Seeing people find the hope and redemption that we proclaim. There is nothing better.
Q: What are some of the things happening in the church right now?
A: There are a lot of amazing things happening right now. We are about to launch our online campus on October 1, "CC Live." However, we are taking a little different approach to (an) online (church.) We are desiring to get people online to take them offline. There is a lot behind that, but we hope everyone will join us at http://ccmasonlive.churchonline.org. Also, every February we partner with the Tim Tebow Foundation for their Night to Shine event. It is a prom for folks with special needs and it is one of my favorite nights of the year.
Q: What are some of the things you like to do when you’re not doing ministry work?
A: I love to spend time with my family, doing anything outside that we can. I love to play golf, fish, cut my grass and ride my motorcycle.
Q: Anything else you’d like to share about yourself or the church?
A: The biggest thing we tell people is that we want this to be a place where it is OK to not be OK, because we will help you find the One that makes it OK. If you are looking for a place that loves you enough to let you come as you are, but loves you way too much to leave you that way, then we are the place for you.
Q: How can readers connect with you/the church, if they aren’t already connected?
A: Visit www.ourchristschurch.com to find out about us. If you want to connect with me personally, I am on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat as @trevordevage. I would love to connect with each of you and have you be a part of Christ's Church.
Contact this contributing writer at gmwriteon@aol.com.
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