About Me
My background
I am a husband, father of 2, and a pastor. I was born in Buffalo, NY and have great memories of my nine months there, before living in central Illinois for several years. My childhood was spent in the suburbs of Kansas City on the Kansas side before I attended the University of Kansas where I played trombone and tuba in various bands, and earned a degree in psychology with a minor in sociology. Shortly after graduation and marrying my wife Ashley, we moved to the D.C. area where I worked at Dulles airport and eventually spent time in the intelligence community. Returning to Kansas a few years later I worked in banking before spending several years in concert production. In 2008 during prayer and discernment I felt called to follow my father into the ministry and enrolled at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. Upon graduation I taught at the University of Dubuque and served as long term pulpit supply for two churches. Over the past ten years I have served congregations in Collinsville, Illinois and Bel Air, Maryland.
My faith
I view my call to ministry through the lens of Galatians 3:28,
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ.” I am called into an inclusive community that acknowledges the existence of social barriers, but disregards their meaning within the Church. I am called to engage, integrate, uphold relationships, and to work for reconciliation in the image and name
of the One Triune God.
I hold a deep belief in the sovereignty of the Triune God,
who is lovingly revealed to us in three persons:
the Almighty, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
I am inspired by the written word, Scripture,
known as the Old and New Testaments,
which together form one unified and authoritative witness to God.
I honor the sanctity of all humanity, created in the image of God, who embodies the fullness of gender.
The beauty reflected in the diversity of humanity
inspires us to celebrate our differences
while working with compassion for a just world.
I proclaim the ultimate and unconditional love of God,
fully demonstrated in the miraculous birth, transformative life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I embrace the grace, faith, and reconciliation
offered to me through Jesus Christ,
recognizing that he is Lord of my conscience,
my savior, and also my faithful friend and brother,
welcoming me with open arms.
I believe in the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit,
present everywhere, creating, sustaining, and leading life.
The Spirit especially guides the Church Universal in its mission and allows us to thrive through Baptism and Communion.
I recognize that creation,
especially the extraordinary uniqueness of Earth,
is a precious gift from God, meant for the flourishing of all people. As devoted disciples, we are called to honor this gift
and serve responsibly as diligent stewards.
I strive for the peace and new life taught by Christ,
which is attainable here and now,
serving as a glimpse of the reality yet to come
and the Kingdom that is already among us.
I find strength in the witness of every believer
who reflects the mercies we have received
through acts of mercy, justice, and love;
by living according to the Lord Jesus,
we become beacons of hope and transformation
in a broken and fearful world.
My involvement
Susquehanna Parish Ministry Group
Member September 2019 to current
Organized and Led Mission Fair May 2023
Communications Support
Commission on Thriving Congregations
(Presbytery of Baltimore)
September 2022 to current
Organized and Led an Evangelism Conference
Collinsville Area Ministerial Alliance
Member, March 2014 to August 2019
Offer Invocation at City Council Meetings
Engaged in interdenominational work for the community
Collinsville Faith in Action
Board Member, June 2018 to August 2019
Collinsville Food Pantry
Board Member, June 2014 to August 2019
Chair, Christmas Toy Pantry Committee,
January 2015 to January 2019
Committee on Local Arrangements
for 223rd General Assembly
(Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery)
Chair, Communications Committee, June 2016 to March 2017
New Worshipping Communities Commission
(Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery)
Member, May 2014 to May 2015
Chair, June 2015 to March 2017
Organized and led a Regional Gathering of NEXT Church
November 2012
Reader for Presbyterian Study Grant
August 2012
Served on the Worship and Spiritual Life Committee for UDTS 2011-2012 Chaired Men’s Retreat Committee
Served on Student Council for UDTS 2009 – 2011
Chaired Ministry Committee
Served on Housing Committee