Education:

Bachelor of Arts in Math & Science - Judson College, IL

Master of Divinity - Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA

Background:

    My key moment with God came at 19 years of age.  I had spent my adolescence in self imposed social seclusion.  I was so painfully shy that I could not even share more than a sentence or two in conversation with anyone.  I never had a conversation with a girl, did not speak out in class, took a zero on every oral presentation, had few friends.  This led me into depression, thoughts of suicide, self mutilation and self hate.  I didn’t have the courage to kill myself, but I often hoped that I would die.  After four miserable years in high school, I had hoped that going 2000 miles away to Judson College in IL would give me a chance to restart my life.  Unfortunately the change of location had little effect on my personality. 

    It was at this point that I realized that I was destined to stay this way for the rest of my life.  I bought myself a little rubber boat that I used to lay out on the Fox River when the weather warmed that Spring.  As I contemplated my future, I wondered what kind of kind of life I could have without ever being able to talk to people.  I would be a wallflower forever, never marrying, never having kids.   There were few careers open to people who could not carry on a conversation.  I finally told God that He could have my life.  I knew that I could never fix myself.  I had tried and failed miserably.  I could not imagine what God would want with this pathetic life, but if He wanted it, He could have it. 

    It was immediately thereafter that God started the miracle in me.  He began to throw opportunities my way to talk to others.  I suddenly had the courage to try to say things to people.  To my amazement, people who had no interest in me before, now were hanging on every word I spoke.  Within two weeks time, my personality completely changed.  Since that time, I have never again had  any problem holding conversations with anyone.  It wasn’t long until I met Rhonda, who I married three years later and now have three children; Joy, Hope and Corban.   Now, more than 30 years later, I have trouble remembering what it was like to be enslaved by my fears.  But I will never forget the time that God radically changed my life forever. 

    Eventually, God would lead me on the path of ministry.  Though my father was a minister, preaching was certainly the farthest thing from my mind.  Even after I was able to talk with people, I was terrified of standing up to talk to groups of people.  Once again God surprised me by taking me on a journey that led me to becoming a minister.  God showed me that He could use me to help others grow in their relationship with God.  Once I discovered the wonderful joy available to those who lead others to Jesus, I knew that I would be spending the rest of my life serving God.  After several years, God was able to overcome my fears of public speaking so that now it is one of my favorite things to do. 

    I consider this my “call” from God to be a minister.  There have been many joys and sorrows over the years since, But God has always affirmed this call in my life by the constant presence of His Holy Spirit and endless supply of assistance to do the work.  I have not doubted God’s existence because He has never once failed to show up when I have asked Him to be there for me.  I have not always gotten what I asked for, but I have always gotten much more than I ever hoped for.   God has been good to me.   

Hobbies:

Softball

Golf

Volleyball

Football

SPORTS!!!

Favorites:

Food: Chocolate

Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life

TV Show: Home Improvement

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