Getting Started

Growing up in the suburbs of New Jersey, I wasn’t raised in a Christian family. Something captivated my imagination though, because at the age of seven I was already asking questions about God that were not typical for a kid my age. Not knowing what to do with my questions, my mom literally dropped me off on the steps of a local church and said she would be back in an hour to pick me up. It was here that I met a widowed gardener, who faithfully taught a children’s Sunday school class on the parables of Jesus. The seed was cast on ears that were meant to hear. At the age of seven I asked the source of these captivating stories if I could be the kind of good soil where his teachings might grow. As the most significant spiritual experience in my life, I found my sense of being in Jesus.

As I grew, so did my questions. Continually staying involved in youth group and various service projects, I was not one to just follow the crowd and lack reflection on my life. Though not a very academic teenager, through the strong influence of my girl friend (who is now my wife), I ended up in Bible college after taking a year off from high school. I realized more and more that theological studies were somewhat of a natural bent for me. Always involved in the local church, never growing tired of the conversation, seminary was the next step for our young family and my quest for a better understanding of Jesus’ kingdom message. If being in Jesus was grasped as a child, believing in God’s kingdom was developed during my twenties.

Now in my thirties, taking on the role of a pastor five years ago was formative to say the least. Over and over again, the messiness of ministry has reminded me of the importance of communicating and living out the message of Jesus into our world. I have found my calling in the context of God’s people. I am seeking Jesus’ leading by further exploring my role as a local church leader. While continuing to address the issues of being, believing, and belonging in my life, I am anticipating an educational community at Fuller where the story of my life, my family, and those around me will continue to converge with the story of Christ, His Kingdom, and the Church community.