Pastor Brian McKinley – Induction Phase Director

.

How did you arrive at The Refuge? What path brought you here?
I arrived at the Refuge, hurt, confused, and broken from bad life choices and a host of unfortunate events, topped off by a drug and alcohol addiction that had left me considering suicide.

What do you have a knack for? What’s your niche? What’s that “one thing” you feel you do best?
I believe that I am able to take the statutes, ordinances, and commandments of God and translate them into modern analogies without losing the Biblical content that all men are able to understand.

What’s the one problem you are best at solving?
I am best at aiding others in overcoming excuses that they make for themselves and are unable to shake. What are you most passionate about? What excites you about your work & the contribution you can make? I get most excited about walking through the change with the men. Seeing them transformed daily as they apply the word of God to their lives.

What can’t you stop talking about?
I can’t stop talking about Gods’ life giving touch on lives of dry bones. Where can we find you when you’re not working? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon? When I’m not working you can find me working. “I delight in the work that you have given me.”

How long have you been doing what you do?
I’ve been leading men most of my life. I’m just not leading them to the wrong place today. I’ve been leading men to Jesus for almost 7 years.

Where did you grow up?
I was born in Cincinnati Ohio but I grew up between the cities of Lancaster and Columbus Ohio.

What would be impossible for you to give up?
The thing that I would find impossible to give up would be my relationship with Christ, and the new family of friends that He gave me.

How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as a loving husband, father and family man.

Pastor Brad Morton – Second Phase Director

.

How did you arrive at The Refuge? What path brought you here?
I ended up at the Refuge after my brother talked with me about it. He had heard about the Refuge at Open Door where he attended with Tom Thompson. I tried to get my buddy to go, thought it was about him. Eventually, I spent a day with Tom and quit my job the next day and entered the Refuge.

What do you have a knack for? What’s your niche? What’s that “one thing” you feel you do best?
I have a knack for building relationships on a “friend” or even a “father” level with the men.

What’s the one problem you are best at solving?
I am best at conflict resolution. Hearing and conveying both sides of an issue.

What are you most passionate about? What excites you about your work & the contribution you can make?
When I see a man actually “get it” and everything begins to clicks.

What can’t you stop talking about?
The ministry in general and about what God is doing in the lives of the men. Where can we find you when you’re not working? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon? You’ll find me fishing and hunting.

How long have you been doing what you do?
About 9 years.

Where did you grow up?
Chillicothe, Ohio

What would be impossible for you to give up?
Jesus, My Wife and my fishing pole.

How would you like to be remembered?
I want to be remembered as a good man that helped many people.

Pastor Bill Fitzpatrick – Third Phase Director

.

How did you arrive at The Refuge? What path brought you here?
Pastor Tom and I became friends attending the same church over 18 years ago. We became close friends when I started attending his men’s group. In this group I was able to watch God form the vision of the refuge

What do you have a knack for? What’s your niche? What’s that “one thing” you feel you do best?
Being able to love people with the gift of mercy; feeling what someone else feels.

What’s the one problem you are best at solving?
Relationships with people.

What are you most passionate about? What excites you about your work & the contribution you can make?
Helping people, being a person who is encouraging to others.

What can’t you stop talking about?
Men’s Lives Changed!

Where can we find you when you’re not working? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon?
I enjoy hanging out at the house, I don’t see much of it through the week.

How long have you been doing what you do?
4 years.

Where did you grow up?
Columbus, Ohio

What would be impossible for you to give up?
Jesus, My Wife…and Chocolate!

How would you like to be remembered?
As someone who loved Jesus, who was a family man and someone who loved people.

Pastor Jeff Kirby – Director of Administration

.

How did you arrive at The Refuge? What path brought you here?
My journey began as a man seeking help. My decisions and actions had led me to a place in life where I was lost and certainly lacked any hope. Through diligent work and prayer of my mom, I was introduced to The Refuge. As my relationship with God increased my path become more and more clear…I had found my home here at The Refuge. I discovered a gifting for administration and have worked in the capacity since June of 2009.

What do you have a knack for? What’s your niche? What’s that “one thing” you feel you do best?
I have a talent for encouraging people. Honesty and authenticity through loving relationships. Wanting those whom God places in my life to know they have worth.

What’s the one problem you are best at solving?
I bring organization to what appears to be chaos…working with Pastors as I do, this is a must!

What are you most passionate about? What excites you about your work & the contribution you can make?
I am passionate about men’s lives changing. God has transformed me and I want men to know He can do the same for them. I want the administration to work so well that we can all be about our mission to find men in need and bring real and worthwhile change to their lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ!

What can’t you stop talking about?
My testimony, in entirety or in parts, is never far from my lips. God has blessed me in so many ways! I can’t help but talk about my transformation. What’s more is that everyday there’s something new happening around The Refuge and another miracle in God’s kingdom. God’s glory abounds in my life and I want anyone who will listen to hear about it.

Where can we find you when you’re not working? What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend or a Sunday afternoon?
Find my wife and you will find me. While we are closing in on our second anniversary, we still feel like honeymooners. She is my best friend and I adore hanging out with her…during football season, in front of a television!

How long have you been doing what you do?
4 years.

Where did you grow up?
Columbus, Ohio

What would be impossible for you to give up?
My relationship with God would be impossible to give up.

How would you like to be remembered?
As a man who faltered on his own and was transformed through the power of Christ.