Valley View Wesleyan Church
Roanoke, Virginia 24012
540-366-5053

• Education: I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Pastoral Ministry and Youth Ministry from United Wesleyan College of Allentown, PA. Later the Pastoral Ministry department merged with Indiana Wesleyan University and Houghton College. I was ordained in 1987 in the West Michigan District of the Wesleyan Church.
• Experience: I have been a youth Pastor outside of Philadelphia PA, as Assistant Pastor in battle Creek Michigan, A senior Pastor in Jackson Michigan, a Church Planting Pastor in Buffalo New York, an Associate Pastor in Erie Pennsylvania, and most recently (and hopefully lastly) I am the Senior Pastor in Roanoke Virginia. I have been deeply involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Erie PA., taught and led leadership seminars in PA for the United methodist Church, and have done leadership training for numerous secular businesses throughout Pennsylvania.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: These sermons have been written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, with the help of numerous outside sources. It is my prayer that God will speak to you through the Words, and you will be changed.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: "The Compassion of Jesus", "Let it Flow", "What’s In A Name?", "Dropping the Weight", Look Who’s In The Family Tree", Helping Others Find Eureka!"
• One of my favorite illustrations: The story of Telumechus the small monk who inspired the end of "The Games" which cost thousands of Christian’s their lives. It reminds me what God can do with someone who prays (and means) Today I am your humble servant. Guide me in the way I should go and I will not depart from it!"
• Family: I am happily married with 7 children ranging from one in her mid twenty’s to my youngest son who is 8 years old.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My father has only heard me preach by CD or tape. He is my biggest supporter! His best advice; Preach what God tells you and you will be successful.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: My wife tells me all the time that she is blessed to have married a man who can still keep her on the edge of her seat after all these years with sermons that are new, fresh and exciting!
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Preach from the overflow! Spend time with the Word, be familiar with it. Live with it. See the world through the lense of that particular passage. Only after you have satuarated yourself with it, and are so excited about the truth you have read that you must preach it...preach it!
• Books that have had an impact: The Purpose Driven Church, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Ministries, What’s So Amazing About Grace, Next Generation Leaders,
• Hobbies: Reading, drawing, basketball, softball, spending time with my wife and children!
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: If I knew it was my final sermon I would tell them to "Just Do It!" Most of us don’t need one more sermon, we just need to start doing what we already know!
• Something funny that happened while preaching: Something funny happens almost every time I preach. From standing on the dge of the platform (wanting to get as close as possible to the people) and falling off, to talking about how my wife almost always has the final word, except when I’m preaching, only to have the sound system suddenly shut down just as I am saying "except when I’m preaching." I followed that up with, "She has amazing connections!"
• What I want on my tombstone: He was a godly man.