Paul David Tripp deeply believes that we are all born to be part of something bigger than ourselves. God’s will --- his purpose for this world --- should shape our responses to everything --- family, friends, work and worship.

When Paul was born in Toledo, Ohio, on November 12, 1950, his parents had recently come to faith in Christ and were very excited about parenting as believers. The Tripp family was committed to having daily family worship and being at church every time the doors were open --- even family vacations were spent at the local church conference grounds!

In spite of living what many consider an idyllic Christian life, the Tripp family was not immune to significant struggles. And through these challenges, God built in Paul a desire to see the gospel applied to the realities of life in a fallen world. After majoring in Bible and Christian Education at Columbia Bible College from 1968 to 1972, Paul decided to attend seminary.

Paul married Luella Jackson Tripp in 1971, took his first pastoral position that same year and has been dedicated to church and family ever since. After completing his Master of Divinity degree at the Reformed Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia (1972-1975), he became interested in biblical counseling and enrolled in the D.Min program in biblical counseling at Westminster Theological Seminary Philadelphia.

Today, Paul has over 25 years of pastoral and counseling experience. He is currently the president of Paul Tripp Ministries, a non-profit organization, and is on the pastoral staff of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. He is adjunct faculty at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation, adjunct professor at Westminster Theological Seminary and visiting professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.

A gifted communicator and international conference speaker, Paul is also the author of several books on practical issues of Christian living, including AGE OF OPPORTUNITY, WAR OF WORDS, LOST IN THE MIDDLE and INSTUMENTS IN THE REDEEMER’S HANDS. He is the co-author of HOW PEOPLE CHANGE and RELATIONSHIPS: A Mess Worth Making.

The father of three sons and a daughter, Paul has approached marriage and parenting asking the simple question, “How can I contribute to what God wants for everything that surrounds me? --- my wife, children, work, possessions, health, neighbors?” The achievements of his family attest to the wisdom of this philosophy. His wife of 35 years, Luella, owns a successful gallery in Philadelphia, and each of his children have entered thriving careers in the arts --- music, design and journalism. Paul also enjoys painting in his spare time as well as cooking for the family. Family gatherings, he says, often center on “show and tell,” as everyone shares his recent work.

A QUEST FOR MORE: Living for Something Bigger Than You © Copyright 2011 by Paul David Tripp. Reprinted with permission by New Growth Press. All rights reserved.