I was born and raised in Clarkston, Michigan. I graduated from Methodist College in NC with a BA in Public Administration and Economics in 1988, and got my Master of Divinity from Duke in 1995 where my passion and focus was Biblical study of Paul's letters and Christian Ethics.

Before entering ordained ministry, I worked for three years as a movie theater manager, spent three years in the US Army JAG Corps, and ten years in youth and camping ministry (where I met my wife Juliana in 1989).

I am a huge sports fan. I am currently an assistant track coach at Pinckney High School. I have been a runner since 1972 and have run 24 marathons including 2 NYC Marathons and 3 Boston Marathons. I have also run several triathlons. In short, I just love sports of any kind.

I am an avid reader, both fiction and nonfiction. I love music of all kinds. I like to sing in quartets, trios, duets and small groups (I don't consider myself much of a soloist). I am learning to play guitar and piano, am trying to remember how to play the trumpet, and I occasionally play the harmonica on ski lifts and long canoe trips.

I've been married to my wife Juliana since April 25, 1992. I have three children, Will (22) serving in the US Army, Grace (20) junior at Calvin College, and Joy (15) freshman in high school.

I was born and raised in Lansing, MI. I joined the US Army in 1979 where I served in the medical corp. for 3 years. I graduated from Southwest Texas State University (now known as Texas State University) while in the military, with a BA in Teaching and an emphasis on Psychology; and then received a BA in Accounting in 2006.

I have spent the last 30 plus years as an entrepreneur, in the hospital medical equipment business. My current medical company, Jefferson Diversified Group, has been in existence since 1999.

I was given the opportunity to work for Arise Church in 2012. It was, and still is, a labor of love. I am now semi-retired from the medical corporation, giving me plenty of time to do my favorite things: Serve God, love my wife, fawn over my 7 grandchildren-the joys of my life, and fish.

I am heavily involved with many aspects of the church including: administrative, life groups, and music. Also, I am one of two certified Methodist Lay Servants at Arise, a designation by the UMC for the interpretation of scriptures, doctrine, organization, and ministries of the church.

I live with my wife, Tina. We have two children, Steve and Angela; two in-law children, Sarah and Eddie; 7 grandchildren, Annabelle, Grace, Logan, Madelyn, Finley, Lyra, and Juliet; a dog named Summer and big cat named Sophie. I am truly a blessed man!