Pastor John Colegrove

Here and now:
I'm going places I never have before and life right now is as exciting and scary as it's ever been!  I've had many spiritual ups and downs during my life, and really started my deeper spiritual walk about the same time we joined the beginning of Living Hope.  I've served in the music, administration, worship design, AV, finance, and building areas here since 2000.  For many of those years, Pastor Chad and I had talked of me coming to work at the church, and in April 2007 I was able to leave one-third of my present job, which is being V.P. for two small distributors in Xenia, and come on staff.  I've felt led to pursue a district minister's license and hope to be given that in 2008.  I feel I'm blessed to be able serve this way and God is doing things in me!

Before:
It was three years before the beginning of Living Hope that I married my wife Cheryl, who I grew up with since 1980 when her military family moved here.  We enjoy marveling at how we're so different, and are learning more every day to appreciate those differences and grow in what true love is.  She's amazing in her insight and wisdom and helps me see another side of life that I wouldn't otherwise see.  She selects most all the music at Living Hope and is involved with worship design, the music team, the upcoming Kids Club, and Operation A New Life.  She works one day a week as a Physician Assistant and also home schools our sons Max and Sam.  Our boys bring us joy that is unsurpassed, they love God, and they love to play with us.  We all love playing outside, playing inside, playing in the car, playing ¦)  you get the point.

Way before:
I and my younger sister were born and raised in Bellbrook by my parents, and we were constantly surrounded by music. Our family started going to church when I was around 8 and I first asked Jesus into my life at church camp at age 12; I then promptly got in the only fight of my life the next day over a ping pong ball and was almost sent home.  This was my first proof that our spiritual lives are a constant journey of learning and maturing!  I graduated from Bellbrook High School and then received a B.S. from Olivet Nazarene University and an M.B.A. from Miami University.  After graduating, I worked as a C.F.O. and C.O.O. of an electronics distributor in Dayton before moving to my present job.

Things:
Besides doing anything and everything with my wife and kids, I try to find time to work on our cars and piddle in the garage or the yard on various projects.  I have a habit of shopping everything to death (both for me and anyone else who wants help), and I like movies that are dark and full of dry wit and satire.  I listen to a lot of 70's and 80's rock and pop, along with Bach organ and Horowitz piano music, with some Big Band and other classical thrown in (along with music we prepare for services!)  I read a lot of car and computer magazines, but not many books, except for some Rob Bell or other Christian writers and some biographies.  I tend to be pretty task-oriented, as my wife would attest, and have to watch and balance that with making sure I let those around me know that I love and appreciate them.  Again, I think I'm very blessed to be where I am, doing what I am.