Spotlight on....Frank Wray

I was born and raised in the Catholic church. I went to Catholic school and for many years endured the repetition that is endeared to the Catholic service. I have mostly fond memories of the Church and the education I received prepared me well as I went to on to college. In college and graduate school though, my eyes were opened in many respects I started to question my religion openly and of all people who encouraged me to take a spiritual journey, it was my mother; an ardent Catholic and strong Christian. "I just want you to know Christ and I want you to be in heaven with me," is what I remember her saying time and time again so, for the most part, I left the Catholic Church and searched for a church where I saw inclusion whether than exclusion, where I saw more put into the message rather than then the presentation and one where I could share a spiritual journey with the one I love.

Fast forward to 14 months ago. I was just two months into my relationship with my present wife Katie. She, too, was searching for a church and we both knew were going to most likely get married so we started to "shop" for a church we called our own. Katie had actually been to a service at Nexus before I met her and she had mentioned it but we decided to see what some other services were like. But one after another just didn't feel quite right. There was something missing in each one. Katie finally suggested we try Nexus to see what I thought. I was initially skeptical since it was a start up church but I thought I would give it a chance. Well, one time was all it took. The warmth, the love, and the mission and message of Nexus was exactly what I wanted. In spite of their size, they were truly a melting pot of all the ideas I had thought a church should be. Katie and I agreed that this was the church were our family would grow spiritually and take away the values we both hold dear to ourselves. I am very excited about Nexus and look forward to its continued growth!

Frank is a professor of biology at the University of Cincinnati's branch campus in Blue Ash. He is married to Katie Kool and is the proud stepfather to A.J and Maya Kool.