I grew up in the Cleveland area and attended the College of Wooster, graduating with a BA degree in Education in 1971.

In 1972 I was working as a high school Industrial Arts teacher and I felt an extreme emptiness in my life. The mother of a good friend began sharing Jesus Christ with me. I thought I was a Christian since I was not Jewish, Buddhist or Hindu. It was not until I went to Bible study and began to understand who Jesus Christ was and why He died on the Cross that I recognized my great spiritual need. I knew I was a sinner and I committed my life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

I was teaching school and had my summers free. I served as a summer counselor at Camp Burton in Burton Ohio. I entered seminary in 1975, graduating in 1979. I served summers at Camp Burton and three years as a part-time Youth Pastor while in seminary.

God continued to give me more and more responsibility and opened many more doors. Full-time ministry was the logical step and again God opened the door to a wonderful opportunity. Work Experience: I served 5 summers at Camp Burton as a Counselor and Program Director. I served three years as part-time Youth Pastor in Hudson, WI. I served full-time as Youth Pastor in New Castle, PA for four years. I went to my home church as Pastor for three years. I have now served at Berean for fifteen years. Responsibilities: I am the Pastor of Adult Spiritual Development and Missions. This is a position I have grown into as I began as the first Associate Pastor. I direct and teach 4 different classes that we believe help Christians in the process of "becoming like Christ". I also direct a growing and exciting Mission Ministry that not only supports missionaries and mission agencies, but also sends Berean people to short-term mission in several cross-cultural settings.

History at Berean: I began at Berean on March 1, 1987. I was Berean's first Associate Pastor joining Pastor Dave. I have been part of the excitement that has watched Berean grow into the significant ministry it is today. In the early days I did everything from Children's Ministry, to Youth Ministry, to Adult Ministry and everything in between. It has been a great blessing to serve God for 15 years here. It has been wonderful for my family. Berean is out family and Mansfield is our home. Family: Julie and I have been married since 1977 and we have three sons, Joel, Jared and Jason and one daughter Beth. I have a wonderful family for which I thank God.