Q: When did you first start working in ministry, and what led you to become a pastor?
In my junior year of Bible college, I felt a strong conviction that God was calling me into vocational ministry. I grew up attending church but didn’t know Jesus personally. I knew a lot of Bible stories, but I didn’t know they all pointed to Him. After I came to know Christ, I regretted not understanding the gospel earlier. That’s what led me to student ministry. I wanted students to hear the good news of Jesus clearly and personally—something I didn’t experience until later in life.
Q: Where were you before coming to Bay Area?
Before coming to Bay Area, I served as a pastor for more than 25 years in two different churches. My first five years of ministry were spent in Silver Spring, MD, where I served as a Student Pastor. From there, God called our family to Buffalo, where I had the privilege of serving in both Student Ministry and Adult Disciple-Making Ministry for 19 years. For my last three years in Buffalo, I worked at a nonprofit called 716 Ministries in downtown Buffalo. Their mission is to remove barriers, provide meaningful employment, and help refugees reach their God-given potential. It was an incredible opportunity to serve the city and see God at work in very tangible ways.
Q: Is there a specific Bible verse or passage you’re leaning on right now?
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:2 This verse captures my heart for disciple-making. It reminds me that ministry is about multiplication, investing in people who will invest in others.
Q: What’s a fun fact most people at church wouldn’t know about you?
For the last 20 years, I had the privilege of chaperoning and teaching high school and middle school students how to snowboard every Friday night. It became the highlight of my week. There’s nothing quite like watching students grow, try something new, and have fun together.
Q: How do you like to spend a day off?
Walks with my wife, Melissa, working out, biking, running and taking road trips with our family. Doing anything active or outdoors is a win for me.
Q: If you could have dinner with one person (other than Jesus), who would it be and why?
I’d choose my brother, Russell. He passed away when I was 16 and he was 23. I would love to sit with him and hear the story of how he came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior while he was in college. His faith is the reason I went to Bible college, and he even bought me a Bible just a few months before he passed away. That gift changed my life.
Q: What’s your go-to coffee or tea order?
I’m a simple guy—black coffee, no sugar.
Q: What excites you most about the vision for the Kent Island campus?
Honestly, the people. Kent Island is full of friendly, helpful people, and I love that it’s a concentrated community. With one high school, two middle schools, and around 20,000 residents, it feels like a place where deep relationships and whole-community impact are truly possible. At the same time, the area is growing. There are several new building projects underway, which means even more opportunities for ministry—students, children, young moms, men’s ministry, and our 55+ community. There is so much potential for gospel impact on the Island.
Q: What’s happening on Kent Island right now?
We’ve already seen God do amazing things. Seventy people came to our first big event, the KI Chili Event. People who have lived on the Island for years and people who are brand new to the area were connecting for the very first time. It was incredibly encouraging. We’re hoping to launch six to seven Community Groups in January, with Community Group leader training happening throughout November. The renovation of our new building is moving forward—HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work has been completed, and we expect to be fully ready early next year.
In my junior year of Bible college, I felt a strong conviction that God was calling me into vocational ministry. I grew up attending church but didn’t know Jesus personally. I knew a lot of Bible stories, but I didn’t know they all pointed to Him. After I came to know Christ, I regretted not understanding the gospel earlier. That’s what led me to student ministry. I wanted students to hear the good news of Jesus clearly and personally—something I didn’t experience until later in life.
Q: Where were you before coming to Bay Area?
Before coming to Bay Area, I served as a pastor for more than 25 years in two different churches. My first five years of ministry were spent in Silver Spring, MD, where I served as a Student Pastor. From there, God called our family to Buffalo, where I had the privilege of serving in both Student Ministry and Adult Disciple-Making Ministry for 19 years. For my last three years in Buffalo, I worked at a nonprofit called 716 Ministries in downtown Buffalo. Their mission is to remove barriers, provide meaningful employment, and help refugees reach their God-given potential. It was an incredible opportunity to serve the city and see God at work in very tangible ways.
Q: Is there a specific Bible verse or passage you’re leaning on right now?
“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” — 2 Timothy 2:2 This verse captures my heart for disciple-making. It reminds me that ministry is about multiplication, investing in people who will invest in others.
Q: What’s a fun fact most people at church wouldn’t know about you?
For the last 20 years, I had the privilege of chaperoning and teaching high school and middle school students how to snowboard every Friday night. It became the highlight of my week. There’s nothing quite like watching students grow, try something new, and have fun together.
Q: How do you like to spend a day off?
Walks with my wife, Melissa, working out, biking, running and taking road trips with our family. Doing anything active or outdoors is a win for me.
Q: If you could have dinner with one person (other than Jesus), who would it be and why?
I’d choose my brother, Russell. He passed away when I was 16 and he was 23. I would love to sit with him and hear the story of how he came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior while he was in college. His faith is the reason I went to Bible college, and he even bought me a Bible just a few months before he passed away. That gift changed my life.
Q: What’s your go-to coffee or tea order?
I’m a simple guy—black coffee, no sugar.
Q: What excites you most about the vision for the Kent Island campus?
Honestly, the people. Kent Island is full of friendly, helpful people, and I love that it’s a concentrated community. With one high school, two middle schools, and around 20,000 residents, it feels like a place where deep relationships and whole-community impact are truly possible. At the same time, the area is growing. There are several new building projects underway, which means even more opportunities for ministry—students, children, young moms, men’s ministry, and our 55+ community. There is so much potential for gospel impact on the Island.
Q: What’s happening on Kent Island right now?
We’ve already seen God do amazing things. Seventy people came to our first big event, the KI Chili Event. People who have lived on the Island for years and people who are brand new to the area were connecting for the very first time. It was incredibly encouraging. We’re hoping to launch six to seven Community Groups in January, with Community Group leader training happening throughout November. The renovation of our new building is moving forward—HVAC, electrical, and plumbing work has been completed, and we expect to be fully ready early next year.