I was born and raised in a Christian home, baptized by my grandfather, a Presbyterian Pastor, at two weeks old. My Mother once said that I grew up on the Church secretary’s lap as we were always at the church doing something! My life has been one that has grown up and become intertwined with the Church. This however is not a mere profession to me. Some may think that I became a Pastor because I grew up knowing nothing else. This is not true. I grew up going to church, but did not have an interest in the things of the Lord until He drew me to Himself. I came to the Lord at the age of 14 during a week at a Christian Summer Camp in Ohio. Prior to that week I felt such an incredible load of guilt due to my sin, I was fearful of death and rightfully so, but upon hearing the Gospel, that no sin was so big that the Lord Jesus couldn’t forgive, I believed and found rest and release from the burden of my sin. It was then that I realized that there is nothing more important than a person hearing the truth of the Gospel and being delivered from sin’s guilt and penalty. My life has never been the same.
I attended college at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, graduating in 1988 with a B.A. in Biblical Studies with a minor in Behavioral Science. The two most significant events of my college days were meeting the woman who would be my wife, Andrea, and hearing of the Sovereignty of God over salvation. I married my sweetheart. And I went to a seminary to learn more about the sovereign Lord.
I managed to squeeze a three year degree into five years! I graduated in 1994 with a Masters of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. The first part of my studies were carried out at Westminster Theological Seminary in Escondido, California.
I have served the Lord and His church since the days of my conversion, but in a formal capacity since 1994. Being ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1995 in the PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) and most recently in the OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church).
I have served as an Assistant Pastor working with the Youth, I have served as a Church Planter, helping to start Providence PCA in Fort Wayne, IN. Following our years in Fort Wayne, I pastored churches in the PCA in both Homestead, Florida and in Lander, Wyoming.
I transferred into the OPC in 2012 and helped to start Grace Reformed Fellowship here in Lander, and am very pleased to serve alongside the Elders, Deacon and the fine people of this congregation, our hope being that this congregation will be a faithful witness to the Love of God towards sinners through Christ the risen Savior!
Andrea and I have been married now just over 31 years. We have been blessed with Five children, three of whom are married who collectively have given us six grandchildren.
We enjoy our God, and cherish His blessings to us of our family, our church family, and little things like a good cup of coffee. When we are not working on the Church or on our house, either fixing it or improving it with the help of faithful brothers (!), Philip enjoys music and playing his guitar and Andrea enjoys her art, painting rocks or blocks, reading and writing.
Soli Deo Gloria