I am a committed Christian who was blessed to grow up in a strong, supportive family in rural Iowa. I attended college in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, where I have lived since 1992 with my wife, Kay. We have three adult children. Over the years, we have been involved in all aspects of the church, as well as scouting (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Heritage Girls, and Trail Life USA), and other community activities.

I graduated from Trinity College (later Trinity International University [TIU]) in Bannockburn, Illinois, in 1992 with a B.A. in Youth Ministry. This included a minor in Bible as well as a minor in Music. (My area is vocal performance.) I graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1996 with a Master of Divinity (emphasis in Christian Education). In 2022, I graduated again from TEDS with a Doctor of Ministry, concentrating in Pastoral Ministries. Much of my work focused on homiletics, with my major project focusing on First-Person Narrative Preaching. (Sadly, after 125 years, TIU has closed its Bannockburn campus, ending its undergraduate program. Additionally, TEDS has relocated to Langley, British Columbia, Canada, and become part of Trinity Western University. TIU continues with Trinity Law in Santa Ana, California, and a few smaller areas.)

During this same time, I spent over 20 years working in Physical Security and Community Services, including 9 years as Director of Security for Trinity International University. I also spent two years in general maintenance. I currently work in landscaping, which I have done since 2014, and am currently the Grounds Manager for Trinity International University. Other jobs I have held over the years included food service cook and server, custodian, camp counselor, farmhand, and pulpit supply speaker.

I have been active in teaching and music ministry in the church for over 30 years and have been a guest speaker and provided pulpit supply at churches, youth meetings, and retreats. Also, I served as troop Chaplain for a local Boy Scout troop for nine years. I also served as a leader for a local Trail Life USA troop for five years. I currently serve as a hospital chapel service coordinator, including regular speaking and pulpit supply.

My primary ministry experience and my doctoral work have focused on preaching and teaching. Prior to 2020, I preached 35-40 times a year. (This unfortunately came to an end as a result of COVID restrictions.) They have only recently returned to allowing volunteers and we are working out the details.) My areas of ministry passion are building family and community involvement. I believe family is the foundational relationship system that God created. All other relationships are directly impacted by how we relate to our families. Moreover, the family models the relationship between God and his people. We are called the children of God, and He is our Father.

Community takes these relationships to the next level as we move beyond the family. I see the role of community in the lives of believers as three-fold: 1) between the members of the local church – It is only through the genuine relationship of a real community can we truly grow to be the family that we are called to be by God, 2) between churches – We need to see that our mission is in common with other Bible beliving churches, to reach a world in need of Christ, and that we are not in competition with one another, but rather, should each use our strengths to accomplish the mission God has given us, and 3) with the outside surrounding community – No matter how much community we may have within if we do not step outside our walls and become part of the surrounding community we can never accomplish the mission God has called us to do. Finally, I believe the key to the church’s success is building the body to carry out the church’s ministry. The pastor’s role is not to do all the ministry, but to help members discover their gifts and use them in the church’s ministry.

My specialty areas are preaching, teaching, family ministry, youth ministry, public speaking, community service, community building, strategic planning, and emergency management. I have spoken on various subjects ranging from “What is an Evangelical?” to self-defense. My latest growth has been in first-person narrative preaching. Here, the speaker not only preaches in story form but becomes a player in the story.

I also have several years of musical training and experience, having minored in music. I studied voice professionally and have a passion for the church’s hymns. While I love hymns, that doesn’t mean I am opposed to contemporary worship. I believe there is a place for both. I believe that whatever style of music you use to worship, the most important thing is to have music that contains solid biblical and theological truths.

If you’re interested in having me speak at your church or event, you can contact me through the information on the contact page.