The basics about me
"Raised in a devoted Christian home, God was a constant in the life of our family. Seeds of faith were sown in my life by parents & other family, teachers, mentors, and friends.​
My relationship with God become personal and powerful when I received forgiveness from Jesus for my own sin & brokenness. And his grace is also what sends us forward - changed for a purpose."
Family
​​I met my wife, Nicole, at a job interview, of all places. After worship, dinner, and dancing on our wedding day, I shared with family and friends celebrating with us: 'had Nicole known she would one day marry me - five years ago in that interview room - she probably would have asked me a couple more questions!
We married in 2008 and have lived in the Richmond, VA area for 15+ years, coming from Connecticut (Nicole) and St. Louis, Missouri (me), respectively. Our two children, Ethan and Grace, are a spark in our life, and we are blessed to teach, guide, and walk with them, through life.
A miniature poodle named Scarlett rounds out our family (and she’s a popular church ambassador, too!).
Faith
As I became a husband and father, my personal walk with the Lord grew stronger, and I also found my involvement in church activities was changing in type and frequency: beginning to serve as a worship liturgist and deacon. God used the skills developed working with everyday people in the restaurant, hospitality, and market research sectors, to now care for them with Kingdom eyes and in spiritual ways. In 2014 I felt Jesus’ call on my life to ministry.
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Our family trusted God with the path forward to a Master's of Divinity (2018) at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. Since August 2018, I have served as pastor and head of staff at Swift Creek Presbyterian Church where I love preaching weekly, and providing pastoral care. Check out my Ministry Passions page for more details!
Fun
(hobbies, quirks, etc.)
A week-long sailing trip with my dad when I was 12 made clear that being near the water is part of who I am. We spend most Fridays and Saturdays aboard a 31 ft. sailing sloop named Ploion ("boat" in biblical Greek). Scarlett loves the boat too.
We are a close knit, but also a "normal" family with the everyday ups-and-downs, hopes/dreams, concerns, and great joy. Nicole loves planning our family’s next outing. Both kids enjoy sailing with me (Nicole usually enjoys it too). Individually, Ethan has become a guitar enthusiast, and Grace displays a creative eye for the artistic around her.
I am casual, loyal, passionate, visionary, sometimes hopeful to a fault, a bit of a perfectionist (I work hard to manage this), and I love to laugh. I'll say it again: I love to laugh.
I am an imperfect man, striving to follow Jesus' example, and thankful for God’s grace, both when I succeed, and when I fail. I strive to honor God as a husband to Nicole, father to Ethan and Grace (yes, Scarlett too), neighbor to many, and pastor as best as I can.