Born and raised not far from New Covenant Church in Youngstown, OH, I graduated from Boardman High School and then studied at Westminster College with a dual degree in Elementary Education and Christian Education. I taught sixth grade science and social studies for six years at Springfield Local Intermediate School in New Middletown, OH, coaching a wide variety of sports for both boys and girls. Answering a call to the ministry, I attended Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA, serving as a youth pastor throughout my years in seminary. I also studied at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Charlotte, NC and Boston, MA. Over the course of my 34 years in pastoral ministry, I have served churches in New Jersey, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, most recently serving as the pastor of Center Church, EPC in Grove City for 12 ½ years. God then led me into a new chapter in my ministry, serving as a part-time visitation pastor, a part-time hospice chaplain, and Transitional Pastor.
In my three decades plus of church service, I worked with congregations all along the spectrum of church health, from just barely holding on to thriving and growing in Christ. Most recently, I assisted Rev. Bob Stauffer, the National EPC Church Health Coordinator, with the transitional period at Bethany EPC in Mercer. Bethany began the process in a down cycle after the previous pastorate didn’t work out but is now growing and healthy with their new pastor. I look forward to working with the Session and members of New Covenant as we actively engage in the three stages of the Transitional Ministry Process. This process has been used effectively in churches throughout the Presbytery of the Alleghenies and across our denomination.
Along with my wife Cindy, son Josh, and Miniature Australian Shepherd Belle, I live in Grove City. I enjoy gardening, reading, exercise, music, and drawing. Belle and I competed in disc dog competitions and performed shows for schools and churches. Serving as a Transitional Pastor is one of the ways the Lord has provided to fulfill my life goal, which is to bring joy and hope into the lives of others for God’s glory and by His grace.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
– Romans 15:13