My Story/Resume

 I grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago.   I grew up in a “Christian” home and was raised in a Baptist church.  It was during my younger years that I was taught much about God, the Bible and all the “do’s” and “don’ts” of the day.  Although I didn’t understand everything, I knew that I wanted to have a relationship with God. 

Oh I heard about the “free” gift of “grace” and all, but I still felt like I had to win God’s approval, and I knew that I fell very short.   So I kept doing all the “right” things, but never really felt or understood the connection.  After going to a large High School in Chicago, and attending a great Student Ministry where Dann Spader showed us the way in reaching students, I went to Moody Bible Institute like all of us in the youth group did.  Once again I was into the practice of the “externals” but I didn’t know about the internal things.  There I failed and began to realize the issues of my heart were not being dealt with. 

I went on to work in the electrical field for several years as a union electrician.  It was during this time that I began to really understand how “off the mark” how lonely and empty I was inside.  I began to desire a relationship with God again, but didn’t really know what that meant.  I just knew that I was very empty, and with a deep despair. A friend of mine asked me to come and visit him so I hopped on my motorcycle for a visit.  After a week with my friend and his family, I began to seek after God.  I knew that it was to time to at least pray to Him.  On the ride back from my friends, a cable broke on my bike.  When I pulled over to fix it, I just knelt down to pray and asked God to forgive me for all my junk I had done, and still wanted to do.  I told God that If “Jesus was real, and if He was who he said He was, then I would believe in Him.”   At least I would believe that He would have to change me from the inside.  That I believe is the day I came to know Christ in a very personal way. 

I began to see Him do new things inside, which changed the way I lived.   Several months later as I was searching for the “what” to do with this new relationship with Christ.  Another friend, mentor, asked me to come to Colorado and he would disciple me.  I packed up a duffle bag, hopped on my motorcycle and headed to Colorado from my home in Chicago.  I haven’t been home since.  (Except to visit)  There, God began to move me toward ministry.  I entered Colorado Christian College, and began a life of ministry.  Since then, I have always had a heart for reaching people with the truth of the Gospel. I believe in and practice being intentional, and being relational in the sharing of the Gospel, knowing that the Gospel is for all to hear and for all to believe.   

Today, a little over twenty years since the move to Colorado, marrying Marcie, having two awesome boys, serving in three churches as youth pastor, one as the senior pastor, I am at my “halftime”.  I am more passionate about reaching people, more passionate about equipping the local church for ministry living, and more desirous of what and how God will use me and my family for and in His Kingdom.  My time as a senior pastor has helped in a significant way to see the local church as the vehicle, the tool in which God is using to reach a lost culture.  My faith in this time has had its bruising and enriching.  I believe that after these past 20 years of ministry the best is yet to come.  My desire is to make the next 25-35 years of serving and ministering even more significant! 2 Timothy 1.12b/ Psalm 40

The Sojourn continues--

Far Hills Community Church  2008

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