About Me

I am a fifth-generation Kansan with an older brother and a younger sister. Both my father and grandfather served as Methodist ministers in Kansas. I married Nicole in 2006 in her hometown in North Carolina after we graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. We have two children, John and Anne. Three bible stories with significance for me are the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), and the vision of every tribe and nation united (Revelation 7:9-10).

During a campus ministry retreat in my senior year at Pittsburg State University, I experienced a clear calling to theological education before graduating with a BS in Biology in 2003. This calling was clarified while working a summer in Yellowstone National Park, leading me to serve in the local church. I received a Master of Divinity in 2006 from Wesley Theological Seminary. Being a full-time pastor in the United Methodist Church is my first career, though I have also worked in groundskeeping, housekeeping, and as a delivery and ride-share driver.

My ministry journey began at Resurrection: Leawood, where I focused on pastoral care and volunteer engagement. Later, I led revitalization efforts at First United Methodist Church of El Dorado and worked on organizational health at Berryton United Methodist Church. From 2019 to 2023, I served as the pastor at Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church. During that time, I also completed four years as the Chair of the Great Plains Conference’s Board of Ordained Ministry.

I am passionate about teaching, preaching, and crafting worship services that bring people closer to God. I have strong organizational development skills, providing clarity and guidance to achieve a group’s goals with purpose. I am dedicated to advancing racial literacy and reconciliation and utilizing my skills to help individuals in their spiritual growth and improve the organizational health of churches. I hope to be part of a more inclusive and compassionate future in the United Methodist Church.

In my personal life, I genuinely enjoy embracing new experiences. I regularly seek out challenges that push me to grow as an individual through new hobbies, exploration, and learning new skills. Staying active with walking, strength training, and stretching helps me maintain a healthy body and mind, while meditation and mindfulness help me remain centered. Spending time in our yard and garden and nurturing plants nourishes my soul.

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