In the fall of 2012, I received my Master of Divinity at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to this, I received a Bachelor of Arts in History with Minors in Philosophy and Biblical Studies from Geneva College. My educational interests include theology, film, history, philosophy, and politics. As paramount as my education is, it is only one of many influences in my life.
Along the border of Lake Erie, there is a small Pennsylvania town that smells of grape during September. That's my home town. From elementary to high school my life was rather stationary. I never ventured further than the borders of my county. Church, school, and work were within the town limits; and they consumed my time. My parents were, and still are, blue-collar folks, and they instilled in me blue-collar sensibilities: loyalty, integrity, and respect.
Though college was no more than two hours away from home, it provided a platform for change. Beaver Falls was not much bigger than my home town, but it was different. As a child, diversity was a word to describe the various colors in a crayon box not people. Sure, there were differences among families, but we were very much the same. College was different. College, in general, was a specific setting for an eclectic group of people. Students of various ethnic and social backgrounds congregated and formed meaningful relationships. Geneva College encouraged its students to partake in this diversity. This call to diversity intrigued me, and in the fall of 2006, I packed my bags and spent a semester in Lithuania. This experience profoundly shaped me. Along with my blue-collar upbringing, I learned the value of hard work and discipline.
After graduating in May of 2008 and working for a year, I moved to South Hamilton, Massachusetts to study at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. I enrolled in the Masters of Divinity program. After summer and fall semesters, I married the love of my life - Heather. We were married January 2, 2010. In the spring of 2011, we decided to move back to the Pittsburgh area to finish my degree at RPTS. Though this time of my life has been the shortest, it has taught me the greatest things: the love of God, the beauty of family, and the strength of hope.
In November of 2012, I finished my Master of Divinity degree. The next three and a half years, I worked for CarSense. My duties included attending the lot, presenting closing papers to customers, selling cars, detailing cars, and developing training videos and material for the company. At the 2014 Christmas Party, I was awarded Employee of the Year.
On May 1st, 2015, at 11:55 PM, Heather gave birth to our beautiful girl - Margot. Late Spring 2016, the Lord blessed us with a ministry opportunity. After preaching several times, and a unanimous vote, we were called to serve Immanuel Baptist Church in Erie, Pennsylvania. Since August 1, 2016, I have been serving as part-time Interim Pastor. You can check the church out at www.erieimmanuelbaptist.com.
Life is not conclusive. As one age fades into the next, life adapts to new changes and surprises. So it is with me. Until then, I hope this suffices.
