The Zone Gathering

Pastor Josh Karrer wears a gazillion hats around NCC. He designs invite cards, semester passes, and annual ministry reports. He assists Pastor Joel in point pastoring responsibilities at Ballston. He leads a small group. And somewhere in the middle of all of that, he is preparing to plant a church in Ashland, Virginia.

Known as the “Cookie Monster” to those closest to him, Josh Karrer is extremely creative and a valuable player on the staff team. We caught up with him today, mid-cookie, to talk about life, ministry, and the woes of being left-handed.

By the way, Josh and Beth will be leading a small group next semester for folks who are interested in being a part of their church launch team. See the Spring Pass for more details!

What is your official title? And what does that mean you do at NCC?
My official title is Church Planter-in-Residence. I am not sure what that means other than I find where my best fit is within the staff. Typically I will do graphic design stuff, outreach, help Pastor Joel at Ballston, and try to leave time to get my hands in some church planting functions on the side.

Tell us a little about the small group that you lead and how that experience has impacted you.
I lead with my wife Beth and Brian and Christina Weaver. We are the only group that flaunts our love for desserts, Devotions over Desserts. I love our group! Because we are a church with multiple locations I have found in our small group my network of couples that I won’t see on Sunday. It is maybe my relational highlight each week.

Where can you be found on Sunday mornings?
Our Ballston location.

When did you start following Christ and what have been some of the spiritual turning points in your life?
I committed my life to Christ at age 5 but didn’t’ start living like it until age 12 when I was water baptized. I don’t think you know what following Christ means at the age of 5. My baptism is possibly the most significant event in my Christian walk because it really was my turning point. At age 15 I felt called into some sort of ministry. I actually thought I wanted to be a traveling evangelist, but Bible College was able to clarify my calling.

Tell us a little about your background
Born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. (You may remember Pastor Dave also grew up in Kalamazoo. We actually were in the same kindergarten class together) I have a brother two years older than I and a younger sister eight years younger and two great Christian parents. I went to a small Christian school (graduating class – 24). I then when to Central Bible College where I first heard about NCC.

What is your favorite Scripture passage?
For some time I have grown to love this verse: 2 Chronicles 16:9, For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

What are your favorite books?
Well, I would say 80% of my reading pertains to leadership, church planting, things that pertain to knowledge; 18% to biographies, 2% Harry Potter (This is the only non-fiction I have actually been able to read without getting bored. I got the Potter virus from Beth, though I am not a worshipper)

What are your favorite movies?
Shawshank Redemption, The Bourne trilogy (at least the first 2)

What is your favorite fast food?
Chick-fil-A

What is something that most people at NCC would not know about you?
Well, for the lack of anything creative– I am left handed any often feel outcast because of this. I propose “National Left-handed Day” to honor those left handed like myself. (**Editor’s Note: Pastor Josh will be happy to know that, according to the Left Hand website, the National Left-Handers day is August 13!)

If you were not working at NCC, your dream job would be…
I think I would be a carpenter or work for a contractor building homes

Who is your hero? (besides Jesus or any other member of the Trinity)
My hero would be my Grandpa who has passed away. He was a strong not overly stock man who had a sweet hard for God. But maybe the real reason he is my hero is because he could give immensely powerful hugs which would squeeze the life out of you.

What do you do in your free time?
Read, hang with Beth, play my PS2

In NCC:THE MOVIE who would play you? Who would play Pastor Mark?
Well, I am not much of a actor follower. So I assume the person who played me would be much cooler, more handsome, and more daring than the person who played Pastor Mark.

What is your favorite Pastor Markism?
Wonder twin (or however many people are present) powers activate in the form of Lead Pastor (or whatever your job title is)

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 6th, 2005 at 9:11 am and is filed under Spotlights, Staff. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.