Hub City Church
Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401
605-216-2005

• Education: I graduated from South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD)with a B.A. in Sociology in May 1986. I also attended the Navigators’ Leadership Development Institute for 2 years. Was ordained in the Wesleyan Church in June 2006.
• Experience: Called to vocational ministry in my mid-30's, but was active in ministry through my church, the Gideons, and helping with campus ministry at SDSU. Became the pastor of Aberdeen Wesleyan Church in Sept. of 2000, and served there until God called me to campus ministry. I have been the Campus Staff Member for IVCF at Northern State University since June 2012.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: My desire is to help people move from where they are to becoming fully devoted followers of Christ. My messages are designed to do just that, whether the hearer is a non-believer, or someone who has loved Jesus for decades. I have a passion to help the church become filled with people who THINK - and can meet the challenges to our faith in a reasoned and reasonable manner.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: Spiritual gifts series by Rev. Tim Purcell, my pastor at Brookings Wesleyan Church. This helped affirm what I thought God was calling me to, particularly about evangelism.
• Family: My wife Debra and I have been married 25 years, and have five children. Two are out of the house, but we are in the process of adopting 2 others.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My mom says she likes my messages (but she’s my mom, after all!). My Dad has not heard me preach yet, but am hopeful he will be able to hear them sometime (I’m not sure I should just send him my tapes - would that seem prideful?).
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She thinks I am a gifted preacher.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: I can’t remember who told me this, or if I heard on a tape, but the advice was to make sure that anyone walking in the door could understand the message, whether they had walked with Christ for decades or had not yet found Him. So I strive to make my messages understandable, using very little Christian "jargon" while still preaching and teaching the concepts.
• Books that have had an impact: Aside from Scripture, one of the biggest is IN HIS STEPS, by Charles Sheldon. Others include JUST AS I AM, by Billy Graham (my hero!), HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE, by Dale Carnegie, THE PURPOSE-DRIVEN CHURCH, by Rick Warren, SURPRISING INSIGHTS FROM THE UNCHURCHED, by Thom S. Rainer, and EVANGELISM THAT WORKS, by George Barna. Another great book I’ve finished reading recently is THEY LIKE JESUS BUT NOT THE CHURCH, by Dan Kimball. Books about preaching that have most shaped me ar
• Hobbies: I love to read, read, read! And when I’m not reading, I am generally watching John Wayne movies or Minnesota Twins Baseball!
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, before it is too late!
• Something funny that happened while preaching: Nothing worth reporting yet, but I’m sure my time will come!
• What I want on my tombstone: He was faithful to God and his family.