Rob Shea is a man of integrity who has devoted his talents in service to others. Rob accepted Christ as his Savior over twenty years ago and he's attended CrossWay for the last two years. He's been involved in many ways at CrossWay, serving as a greeter, and leading a men's bible study group. Throughout his spiritual walk, he has trusted Christ to lead him in all his endeavors.
Rob's favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 3:5-6. This passage truly speaks to the core of how Rob lives his life. It reads, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Though the economy has begun to impact Rob's career as a security software professional, he has come to realize that his true happiness and joy doesn't come from career or financial success, rather from the pursuits of giving to others. As such, the double life that he leads, one of missionary work and travel, is now poised to take leading priority.
Rob has ventured all over the world. His travels have taken him to exciting places such as Stockholm, Dubai, Kauai, and Fiji, but he has also visited places that have opened his eyes and his heart to the plight of people in desperate situations. Rob's had the opportunity to walk in Jesus' footsteps in Israel, he's experienced the Great Wall of China, and the Taj Mahal in India. Rob has also served on ministry teams during missions to Honduras, the Dominican Republic, and Paris. Fluent in French and Spanish, he's been a translator helping medical staff administer much needed care. When in Paris he spent two and a half months reaching out to international students at the Sorbonne, leveraging his language skills to communicate. Rob hopes now to be able to devote his life to the mission field full-time. In doing so, he wants to find a way to bring his spirituality and deep compassion for people to the forefront.
Rob's Christianity is a quiet and courageous one. It is a Christianity espoused in part by one of his favorite books, If You Want to Walk On Water, You Need to Get Out of the Boat, by John Ortberg. This book talks about how Jesus is waiting to meet all of us and offer up His Holy Spirit and power in ways that will change our lives forever. However, in order to do so, much like the disciples, we have to get out of the boat and follow Him. Like Proverbs 3, the book reinforces the idea that we have to have the courage and faith to wholeheartedly trust in God and know that He will guide our path. Rob embodies this spirit and lives knowing that there is more to life than simply surviving. He stands firm that life should be lived with happiness - one found through friendship and family, but also through faith in Jesus and leading others to Christ in their own way.
Favorites-
Movies: The Matrix Trilogy. Suspend your inner critique of whatever silly philosophy these movies attempt to espouse. Sometimes a movie is just a movie, and these have some great actions scenes. Also, the NOOMA series that is available in the Crossway Office.
Books: The aforementioned If You Want to Walk on Water... but also The Reason for God by Keller, The Hole in Our Gospels by Stearns, and The City of Fallen Angels by Berendt. Most are familiar with Keller's book. Stearns's book talks about his transition from a corporate CEO who faced his own struggle to obey God to his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. Stearns uses his own journey, including a trip to Uganda and meeting a young boy who lost his family to AIDS, as an example to explore the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel. Berendt is best known as the author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. This book is about the Venice Opera House fire in 1996.
Music: All contemporary Christian music, but especially Casting Crowns.