Today, we continue our series on veteran NCC leaders, and we shine the spotlight on Dustin and Sarah Hanks. I remember the first time I met the Hanks (at a couples small group) and my first major conversation with them (riding back from that small group). I was thrilled to meet some fellow Southerners and college football fans, and I was relieved to discover they were Noles fans (not Gators fans).
Dustin and Sarah jumped right into action when they arrived at NCC, plugging into small groups, hospitality ministry, and worship team. Their joy and hospitality are contagious, and they have invested their lives into many NCCers. This week, we shine the spotlight specifically on Dustin, and next week we will post Sarah’s responses.
Today, we talk with Dustin about life, ministry, and toothless basketball.
How long have you attended NCC? What brought you to NCC?
We started attending NCC a little over three years ago over the July 4th weekend. It was our first week in DC. We found NCC on a recommendation from a friend in Florida. He told us that he had a friend who visited NCC anytime that he was in town. We actually thought that the basement offices were a coffee house because we saw plans for Ebz on the church website. So we walked down those old steps and found Pastor Mark and Christina and asked for a cup of coffee. We thought that little bar down there was the coffee shop. Needless to say, they were so confused.
Tell us a little about the small groups and/or ministries that you lead and how that experience has impacted you.
I am a leader with Tupos, the NCC Youth Group, Sarah and I lead 2 for 1, our couples Bible study, and Sarah also plays the violin on the worship team. Leading is one of the best ways to grow spiritually, because you have to be on your game when study time rolls around. It forces you to read that chapter or study that passage in order to teach it to others. The youth group has been a great way for me to connect with the younger, and future, generation of NCC. We have some amazing kids, and their desire and passion for God is always inspiring.
Where can you be found on Sunday mornings?
In bed. We go to the 5:05 at Ebenezers.
When did you start following Christ and what have been some of the spiritual turning points in your life?
I became a Christian in kindergarten, but made a monumental decision to follow Christ when I was a sophomore in high school. My faith grew tremendously when I was in youth group. My youth pastor’s friendship and example made the biggest impact on my life and his messages and words still resonate with me today. I know that being in a youth group made me more Christ-like than I could have ever been without it. I think this is why I am so eager to help teens become disciples because that was were my biggest gains were made.
Tell us a little about your background.
I’m a Southern boy. I grew up Norfolk, VA and then moved to Jacksonville, FL, thanks to the BRAC, just before my 15th birthday. I went to the Florida State University School of Criminology and Criminal Justice (apparently I needed to specify the school of my major as well, thanks Sa) where I majored in criminology and met Sarah. My parents are still in Jax and my younger brother Ryan just returned home from Iraq.
What is your favorite Scripture passage?
Isaiah 40:31
What are your favorite books?
The Scarlet Pimpernel, Murder on the Orient Express, My Utmost for His Highest, Jason Bourne series
What are your favorite movies?
The Fugitive, Traffic, Jason Bourne series, pretty much anything having to do with spies and espionage
What is your favorite fast food?
A Wreck from Potbelly.
What is something that most people at NCC would not know about you?
Sarah married me for my good looks. Oh wait, something NCC wouldn’t know about me? I knocked out my two front teeth while ice skating when I was 13 and then played in my basketball game the next morning with no teeth.
Tell us a little about your day job. What is your dream job?
Right now I conduct background investigations but my dream job is to be Jack Bauer.
Who is your hero? (besides Jesus or any other member of the Trinity)
Without question, my father. He is an amazing role model and living proof that hard work pays off. It’s amazing to see how much I am like him in daily life and how I find myself thinking about what he would do in a situation. I’m enamored by his capacity to love and care for people and his willingness to walk the extra mile for anyone at anytime, no matter what.
What do you do in your free time?
Almost all of my spare time is spent with Sarah, but I do watch a lot of college football, GO NOLES!, mountain bike, and spend time with friends.
In NCC:THE MOVIE who would play you? Who would play Pastor Mark?
Fred Savage could play me and Johnny Knoxville could be PM.
What is your favorite Pastor Markism?
I dig the Markisms, but the accent is the best: always = ALways, develop = devALop, miracle = MAREicle, it’s priceless.
Dustin, you’ve got great taste in books!! Murder on the Orient Express is Agatha Christie’s best book (and I own them all), My Utmost for His Highest is of course great, and I love the Bourne books (although I was disappointed with the changes the movies made). Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my favorite musicals, but I’ve never read the book. I’ll have to add it to my list.
Thanks for all you and Sarah do to serve the NCC congregation!
Ryan Z
January 2nd, 2007
[...] Last week, we shined the spotlight on Dustin Hanks, and today we shine it on the better half of the equation, his wife, Sarah. We are interviewing all of our veteran NCC small group leaders, and I can’t think of anyone that has been more joyfully committed than the Hanks. While Dustin has been involved in the youth group, hospitality, and couples group leadership, Sarah has been involved in couples group leadership and worship team. You’ve probably seen her on the violin on Sunday mornings. One of my favorite memories of Sarah was Variety Show 2005 when her star student, Micaiah, won 1st place. [...]
The Zone Gathering » Blog Archive » Tuesday Spotlight: Sarah Hanks
January 9th, 2007