My Story
Pastor.
Counselor.
Author.
I was born and raised in Lancaster, Ohio. I began my studies in music at the University of North Texas (2001–2004) and graduated from Ohio University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance. That same year, my life was transformed when I came to faith in Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
In 2010, I earned a Master of Divinity degree from Regent University in preparation for my calling to Word and Sacrament ministry within the Lutheran Church. Before ordination, I taught music in both public and private schools. On July 24, 2016, I was ordained at St. John Lutheran Church in Greenville, Ohio, where I served as Senior Pastor until 2019. My pastoral ministry has also included serving as an Associate Pastor at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Springfield, Ohio; a Lead Pastor at Desert Hope Lutheran Church in Tucson, Arizona; and a Senior Pastor at Groveport Zion Lutheran Church in Groveport, Ohio.
In 2023, I received a Doctor of Clinical Pastoral Counseling degree from Colorado Theological Seminary. I am an ordained and rostered minister with Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC), and a certified, licensed Pastoral Counselor through the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).
My counseling practice specializes in clinical pastoral counseling, a ministry rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in Holy Scripture. My primary area of expertise is Temperament Therapy, which affirms each person’s God-given, innate design. I also integrate other counseling modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, compassion therapy, biblical imagination and interpretation, and holistic prayer.
I am married to Christen, and together we enjoy serving the Lord. In my free time, I enjoy running, hiking, reading, attending outdoor music festivals, visiting wineries, and spending time with our dog, Peek-a-Boo.
Core Values
Biblical Authority
I confess that the Holy Scriptures are the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm for all doctrine, faith, life, and practice within the Church. Therefore, every aspect of my ministry is to be ordered under the Word, so that Christ may be faithfully proclaimed and His people rightly cared for through the means of grace.
Open Vunerability
Because God first loved us, I believe the Christian life is marked by honesty, humility, and the freedom to live in the light of God’s truth. In that kind of community, people are welcomed without pretense, supported in their struggles, and encouraged by the grace and mercy of Jesus.
Total Acceptance
Having been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus, I believe every person should be received with dignity, compassion, and loving care. My desire is to cultivate a community where people are free to be honest about their lives and to encounter the mercy, truth, and transforming love of Jesus Christ.
Authentic Relationship
I believe spiritual growth flourishes in relationships rooted in Christ, shaped by grace, and grounded in truth. My desire is to cultivate connections that encourage faith, strengthen the soul, and support a life centered in the presence and promises of God.
Unconditional Love
I believe that every person should be received with dignity, grace, genuine care, and the unconditional love of Jesus. This conviction shapes a ministry of welcome, mercy, and pastoral presence rooted in the heart of the Gospel.