Austin received his call to ministry nearly ten years ago at a church in Northern Kentucky—the same church where the original planters of 242 Community Church served. When Austin walked into 242 for the first time recently, he noted how it felt like a place he has always known—a homecoming of sorts that speaks to God’s faithfulness across time and geography.

Throughout his military service in Alaska and Georgia, Austin has had the privilege of walking alongside U.S. Army Paratroopers on many of their missions. He has shared in and sometimes led their daily endeavors, including serving as a Jumpmaster for jumps from airplanes and helicopters into the Arctic. While his dedication to his Army craft has always been exceptional, his primary mission has been to share the love of Jesus in the places he lives, works, and plays. His approach to ministry is deeply relational, forged in the demanding environments of military service where authenticity and presence matter most.

In 2021, Austin met and married Ali, and they moved to Alaska together. Ali previously dedicated her work as a Child Life Specialist, embodying the heart of Jesus in crucial moments for children and families in hospitals across the Midwest, including at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.