"My first breakfast with Clint Harrington took a month to lock down due to scheduling challenges. Roughly twenty-four hours after that breakfast I met the group of men that would become the J-Walkers for our introduction and kickoff. I became a last-minute addition to the group, and I view that as both a gift and an example of God at work in my life. I didn’t know what I was looking for, but I found exactly what I needed.
I am a believer, and I have been for as long as I can remember. I go to church with my family, I pray with my kids, and I do my best to be a good man. But when a good friend told me about his FinD group, I had a few sobering thoughts: 1) I haven’t read the Bible outside of church in over a decade; 2) I don’t have a consistent, personal prayer life; and 3) I don’t regularly engage with my family on spiritual topics. I had one more thought as well – I don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and I’m not doing anything to build one.
Joining a small group isn’t a magic bullet or a quick fix for any of those failings. But for me, FinD was an important first step. It’s a place to talk about these shortcomings and find accountability and guidance. It’s also a place to find inspiration. Through the men in my group I have seen leadership, strength, discipline, passion, pain, wisdom, humility, vulnerability, and love. I have seen it in our study of the word, the open and raw sharing of each other’s lives, and the personal interactions between us.
I am working to be a better man and a better disciple of Christ. Every member of the J-Walkers is working towards those same goals. I am thankful to have them alongside me on the journey, and I pray for many more years of learning and growing together.”
Blake is an active member at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church (MDUMC), husband to Larissa, dad to three amazing kiddos, a energy industry professional, and a graduate of the University of Texas with a post graduate degree from Stanford University.
