Collingdale Church of the Nazarene
Collingdale, Pennsylvania 19023
610-306-6118

• Education: I graduated from Taylor University in 1995 and attended Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis for a time before moving with my family to Philadelphia, PA. I am currently pursuing the course of study in the Church of the Nazarene but plan to complete my seminary work upon being ordained in the COTN.
• Experience: I have worked as a youth pastor for 8+ years before being called to be an associate pastor in Indianapolis and now in Philadelphia. I am still working with youth as we have a small staff, however my associate pastor duties of outreach and evangelism now take up most of my time.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: Every congregation is different so use my ideas and illustrations, but make it your own.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: I have learned a great deal from watching the delivery style of Joel Olesteen of Houston, TX.
• One of my favorite illustrations: The Duck Church: Soren Kierkegaard once wrote a parable that told of a community of ducks waddling off to duck church one Sunday to hear their duck preacher. After they waddled into the duck sanctuary, the service began and the duck preacher spoke eloquently of how God had given the ducks wings with which to fly. He pounded the pulpit with his beak and said, “With these wings, there is nowhere we ducks can not go! There is no God-given task we ducks can not accomplish! With these wings we no longer need walk through life. We can soar high in the sky!” Shouts of “amen” were quacked throughout the duck congregation. The duck preacher concluded his message by exclaiming, “With our wings we can fly through life! WE......CAN.....FLY!!!!” More ducks quacked out loud “AMENS!” in response. Every duck loved the service. In fact all the ducks that were present commented on what a wonderfully convicting message they had heard from their duck preacher....and then they left the church and waddled all the way home.
• Family: My wife Alyssa and I are the proud parents of two daughters Becca who is 8 and Ashlynn who is 5.
• What my parents think of my sermons: I made my mom and grandma a cd of my sermons. My mom of course is supportive and doesn’t say anything negative. However, one day while visiting at the campground where my parents have a trailer my grandma asked a visitor if she liked to hear good preaching. Well I sat there waiting for her to praise how good I am, and the visitor said she’d heard about the cd I made. My grandma replied, "Him too, but you should hear that Joel Olesteen (TV pastor from Houston, TX)." I was humbled.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She enjoys them. I always let her preview them.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Don’t talk over or down to them. Our job is not to impress them with our big words and knowledge, it’s to touch them with our lifestyle and love for God. Most importantly, get out of the way.
• Books that have had an impact: "The Master’s Plan of Discipleship"; "Evangelism Explosion"; "The Life That God Blesses"; "Fresh Wind, Fresh Power"
• Hobbies: I am an avid musician having played drums for 24 years of my life. I am currently teaching myself guitar and I also enjoy singing. Besides music I am a technology geek and love gadgets and I also enjoy sports.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: I wouldn’t say anything. It’s more important to lead by example.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: My most recent sermon was on what was God thinking in having the nativity happen the way it did. While preaching I asked why did God choose a virgin teenage girl instead of a seasoned veteran. I intended to be speaking of experience in taking care of children however the congregation took it as exeperience of a different sort.
• What I want on my tombstone: Hope to see you soon!