Education

I became a follower of Jesus in my senior year of high school and that changed everything. I had hoped for a career as a professional drummer (rock, jazz and blues. Anything, really, but country) and planned on backing that up with a teaching degree from Towson University. But then Jesus stepped into my life and, like I said, everything changed. So after high school I went to Washington Bible College and from there to Capital Bible Seminary for a Masters in koine (pronounced ‘coin-a’) Greek exegesis. 

Family

I met Debbie at college and was absolutely captivated by her charm – not to mention her good looks! We married (I’ve never, in all my life, made a better decision). Children followed and brought us lots of joys (and a few challenges).  

Questions

What is your favorite Bible verse?

Easy choice.  Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” 

How long have you been at Trinity? 

I became a pastor at Trinity in 1995 and continued as one of Trinity's pastors after our relaunch in 2010.

What ministries are you involved in?

I’m the guy who gets to open the Bible and do most of the talking in the AM services. But I really view myself as a missionary to Maryland. My primary objective is to make disciples who make disciples. I want to raise up as many missionaries as I possibly can so we can saturate Maryland with Jesus’ love. I also get to play drums in the band! And lead a Community Group! And do thousands of other things (usually all at once).  

What is following Jesus like these days?

Phew, it’s a wild, wild ride (He’s not a tame Lion, you know). It’s absolutely impossible (but through Him we can do all things), totally unpredictable (He’s always got lots of surprises and doesn’t do things the way we thought), thoroughly invigorating and all-consuming. It’s certainly never, never boring! It constantly stretches me to the limits of sanity, and maybe just a bit beyond! I love it! 

Favorites

Coffee shops: Starbucks in Abingdon. 

Foods: Debbie and I have very eclectic tastes in food. But we especially like sushi, Indian and Vietnamese (when we can find it). 

Sports to play: Skiing, boarding, cycling (especially riding fixie), billiards, Jeeping (does that qualify as a sport?).

Books: Millions of them! Man I love to read! So many books, so little time. But for starters (and after the Bible, of course), current favorites would include: Deep Change (Quinn), The Shaping of Things to Come (Hirsch & Frost), The Present Future (McNeal), Confessions (Augustine – don’t leave earth without reading this exquisite piece), The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God (Frame), The Institutes (Calvin), An Education for our Time (Bunting).  And add to these lots and lots of books of art! 

So tell me…

Who is the Biblical figure you relate to most? Definitely the Apostle Paul (sorry, there’s nothing exotic about this).  I love that he was a missionary/theologian. His mind absolutely bristled with biblical acumen, yet he was constantly taking the gospel to the streets, loving on people and telling them of Jesus’ love. Men like him are hard to find. I want to be one and produce others. 

What is your vision for Trinity? I want Trinity to be a Petri dish for disciple making. I’m energized by Jesus’ great commission and by a mental image I have of Trinity, an image in which there is a constant flow of people who are coming to Jesus, having their lives transformed, and going out to reach others with Jesus’ good news. I also want us to plant churches that will plant still more churches, in which disciples make disciples who make disciples.