THIS IS WHAT I DO.
I’ve walked with many people through grief and loss over the years as a Lead Pastor, a Bereavement Care Coordinator and a Spiritual Care Counselor (chaplain). So grief support is what I do. I talk with individuals and families who’ve experienced the recent loss of a loved one. I offer empathetic listening, a compassionate presence, and practical tools to get through the roller coaster of grief and the intense pain of loss. I now offer that to you as well.
For those who want to learn more about me, keep reading.
STORY
I grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, cheering for all Philadelphia sports teams and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Even though I grew up attending church, I wasn’t convinced a relationship with God had any relevance for everyday life. At the age of 15, however, God started working in my life in surprising and profound ways. I like to say, God felt closer than the air I breathed. I started talking with the Lord about anything and everything. The person of Jesus in the Christian Bible became captivating to me; the Spirit of God seemed to speak to me in undeniable ways on many occasions! This changed the trajectory of my life!
Upon graduation from high school, I spent a couple years doing voluntary service in Hong Kong. While there, I spent time in extended prayer and received counsel pertaining to vocation. Long story short, I sensed a clear call from God to be a pastor during this season of my life. Please understand, I’m not the son of a minister or the grandson of a minister. Yet I was thrilled about this idea to care for and shepherd the people of God. But I did ask the question: “Am I too weird to be a pastor?” Aren’t pastors supposed to be serious, straight-laced, and a bit stuffy, I thought. But the Spirit of God reassured me with this thought: “Pastors have fun! And that’s why I’m calling you, to bring life to the church.” So I started down this road, which became quite rocky at times. I eventually worked hard to get the required theological training and leadership experience and, to this day, I have not looked back.
FAMILY
I met my wife Vicki in college in 1995, and we got married three years later. I married my best friend and thankfully we still make each other laugh and encourage each other in life! Vicki is also an ordained minister and is employed as a hospital chaplain. She’s the most courageous person I know!
We have three beautiful daughters. Our twins, Bryn and Lydia, are both graduating this year with undergrad degrees in social work. They both plan to continue their education into the future. Additionally, our youngest girl Ellie is graduating from high school this year, and plans to focus her college efforts on interior design. And just like that, we’re on the cusp of being empty nesters! Unbelievable!
I should probably also mention we have a Golden Doodle, named Junie, who thinks she’s human and has the run of the place!
CAREER
I have now served in ministry for approximately 30 years, 23 of those years as a pastor. Please don’t hold this against me;) Along with my wife Vicki, I helped start a non-denominational church in the city of Reading, Pennsylvania. After moving to Ohio, I served as a lead pastor of two churches: Crossway Vineyard Church (Urbana, Ohio) and Marysville Vineyard Church (Marysville, Ohio). One of my strengths as a pastor was walking closely with people who went through difficult, painful seasons. People have always felt safe to share their stories with me. So many have openly talked about the pain of losing a loved one, the struggle with disappointment and anger toward God, the experience of church hurt or religious trauma of many kinds, and on and on the list goes. I love being there for people as they go through dark seasons of grief and loss. I also enjoy seeing them come through to a place of renewed strength, healing, and hope.
So again, I’ve grown as a grief specialist during all the years of pastoring people through grief and loss, pain and life transition. Along with this pastoral counseling business, I’m also employed as a Bereavement Care Coordinator and Spiritual Care Counselor. I’m constantly talking with individuals and families who’ve experienced a loss in their lives. I offer empathetic listening, a compassionate presence, and practical tools to get through the roller coaster of grief and the intense pain of loss. This is what I do; I now offer that to you.
