Author Dan Cooley - I'm senior pastor of Cottonwood Church in Rio Ranch, NM. Cottonwood is a grown up youth group where we study the Bible together, go Jeepin', shooting, rappelling and on missions trips to Haiti. It's great fun and they pay me for it. How great is that?

I started telling little-known Bible stories back when Moses was editing his final draft, at Camp Peniel in Marble Falls TX. My four kids grew up listening to these stories, and our desire to pass them on to others brought them into print. These stories have been used for Vacation Bible School, Missions Trips, Children's Church, Camp Devotions, and booster seats.

I worked at Camp Peniel for eight years, was a children's and youth pastor for thirteen years, and have been playing senior pastor for about fourteen years. I have a BA in theology from Criswell College and an MA in ministry from Moody Seminary. It's amazing who you can bribe these days.

My family and I love Cottonwood Church, Jeepin' and shooting, large dogs, The Princess Bride, Napoleon Dynamite, Winnipeg Manitoba (where the greatest church in Canada, Elim Chapel resides, and where my kids grew up), green chili, Mexican food and dark chocolate.

I've also written for Leadership Journal and other periodicals, and continue to speak at camps, churches, and youth events. You can contact me through www.danielcooley.com.

And yes, I know Jeepin' isn't a word to the rest of the world. That's why we live in NM.