When asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I always answered, “Pastor.”  In second grade I drew pictures of me preaching in the pulpit.  The Lord has blessed this desire, and I graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in May, 2008.  From the Seminary I was called to start a church in New Lenox, IL, and I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity.  But a lot happened before the move to New Lenox.  Here is a bit of my background…

I was born in El Paso, TX, raised in Beaver Dam, WI, and now have a place in my heart for Orlando, FL (where my parents currently live.)  I spent most of my time in the Midwest for schooling, and spent most of my summers in Orlando, FL.  Now I am a “mutt” of cultures – not a true Midwesterner or a true Southerner.  Hopefully, I am just a rounded individual.  My Dad is pastor, and Mom is a teacher.  I am also blessed with a brother and sister.

The thief of my heart is my wife, Kathryn, and we have a daughter named Bella.  I met Kathryn at MLC where we were science lab partners.  We have been married for 3 years, and are expecting our second child in January.

My passion for ministry comes from people I meet like Ann.  I met Ann while canvassing.  We talked about life, and also about what the community needed.  Then we talked about Jesus.  I explained that he paid for all our sins through his death on the cross, and that cross is the bridge that puts us in a right relationship with him.  I told her that this is all a free gift of grace, and that if we add any of our works to grace it is no longer grace.  I recited Ephesians 2:8-9.  She then got tears in her eyes and said, “I never heard it like that before.”  She then confessed that is what she believes.

I hope to meet many more like Ann, and be able to proclaim the amazing love of our God!