From Sean:
"I grew up in a Christian home with incredible parents who taught me the word of God and modeled a life in Christ. I didn’t realize at the time that what I was walking out had more to do with their faith than mine.
As I went off to college, my faith became shaky at best. I always believed in God. My life did not reflect it though. I found myself, living for myself, trying to accomplish all I could for me. I walked on to the Auburn Football Team and played for the Tigers. I constantly battled with my self worth. When your life is defined by a depth chart, you find yourself working harder to become approved by others. At the end of my junior year, I took a beach trip with a college ministry. While on this trip, I truly came to know God's mercy and grace for my life and and began to truly follow Christ. "
As I went off to college, my faith became shaky at best. I always believed in God. My life did not reflect it though. I found myself, living for myself, trying to accomplish all I could for me. I walked on to the Auburn Football Team and played for the Tigers. I constantly battled with my self worth. When your life is defined by a depth chart, you find yourself working harder to become approved by others. At the end of my junior year, I took a beach trip with a college ministry. While on this trip, I truly came to know God's mercy and grace for my life and and began to truly follow Christ. "
(Ephesians 2:1-10) Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
After graduating from Auburn I worked as a Sports Reporter for an NBC station in Montgomery, Alabama. I was enjoying my career but felt unsettled. It was during this season that I felt God directing me towards pastoral ministry. With no formal training, I decided to move back home to Birmingham. This is where Rhiannon and I met and were married. I began my ministry studies and in 1998, took my position as a youth pastor. Following the will of God for our lives has been an amazing journey. Along the way, my faith has grown and I’ve been able to help others grow as well. Helping those that are in Christ, live as disciples of Jesus Christ, is what I love to do."
SEAN & RHIANNON:
Sean and Rhiannon served as youth pastors for six and half years. While serving in youth ministry, Sean felt called to plant a church. They prayed and searched for where they might begin this new work.
In 2003, Sean came across a new church plant in Birmingham. In 2004, he and his family moved to attend and serve as congregants of this church. (Church of the Highlands). Shortly after getting firmly planted in this new fellowship, Sean was asked to be a part of the pastoral staff. During his 12 years in leadership, he was able to help lead in many areas. He received his Ordination for Ministry, started their first campus outside the city of Birmingham (located in Auburn, Alabama), worked helping lead church planters, and served on the Executive Team that helps lead the church in its entirety.
In 2009, Sean made a trip to the Nashville area and while visiting, felt God calling him and his family to start a church in Franklin. In the fall of 2015, God confirmed that it was time to move to Tennessee and begin the work of planting 5 Stones Church. The Clarke family moved to Franklin in March of 2016 and along with five other families and a handful of college graduates. This group of 35 adults and kids, gathered together for their first service in Freedom Intermediate School in August of 2016.
In 2003, Sean came across a new church plant in Birmingham. In 2004, he and his family moved to attend and serve as congregants of this church. (Church of the Highlands). Shortly after getting firmly planted in this new fellowship, Sean was asked to be a part of the pastoral staff. During his 12 years in leadership, he was able to help lead in many areas. He received his Ordination for Ministry, started their first campus outside the city of Birmingham (located in Auburn, Alabama), worked helping lead church planters, and served on the Executive Team that helps lead the church in its entirety.
In 2009, Sean made a trip to the Nashville area and while visiting, felt God calling him and his family to start a church in Franklin. In the fall of 2015, God confirmed that it was time to move to Tennessee and begin the work of planting 5 Stones Church. The Clarke family moved to Franklin in March of 2016 and along with five other families and a handful of college graduates. This group of 35 adults and kids, gathered together for their first service in Freedom Intermediate School in August of 2016.