I am originally from the north Texas area. In high school my family moved to Wabasha, MN where I graduated high school. After a year of college, I enlisted in the US Navy. I graduated from the Naval Nuclear Power Program and served 6 years upon the USS Finback (SSN-670) and USS Ohio (SSBN-726) spending a total of 423 days under the surface of the ocean. During my tenure in the Navy I lived in Orlando, FL, Saratoga Springs, NY and Kitsap County, WA.
The decision to marry my wife Melissa and my call to ministry motivated my departure from the Navy in 2000. I completed my BAS at Dallas Baptist University and earned my Master of Divinity at Perkins School of Theology at SMU in 2005.
We have served churches since 2001, full time since 2002. My appointments have included: Pleasant Grove UMC, Verona UMC, FUMC McKinney (Associate Pastor), Bogota UMC, Rosalie UMC, Henrietta FUMC, New Church start Grace Chapel (aka: Cross Way). I’ve been serving Wesley UMC Greenville since 2017.
I was baptized and confirmed in The UMC. I did not attend church otherwise and I must say I did not follow Jesus until 1997. I am not an idealist and know the Church is not perfect. However, I do believe the Church is God’s best asset to share the Kingdom of God on Earth. I understand the Church as an equipping place from which we are to live out being the church each week.
It is hard to imagine any United Methodist Church which has not had a rough few years. I hope to pastorally acknowledge any unresolved pain. Without question I have learned, what we perceive as a challenge is God’s opportunity for redemptive action. God has guided generations before us; God is guiding us; God is preparing a way for generations to come. Thanks be to God! Once we are aware of areas in need of healing, we will move forward with a clear windshield and foggy rear-view mirror.
The past 4 years I have stood shoulder to shoulder with others who love the UMC and trust God’s leadership to our new future together. I serve as Chair of the Trustees for the North Texas Conference which placed me in the middle of the disagreements we have witnessed. Having seen us at our best and less glamorous moments, I can say the Church is worth it! We have a brilliant future. We are the younger generation’s best option to develop a relational faith through scripture, tradition, experience, and reason. I believe questions are a faithful response to the gospel of Christ. As United Methodists, we do not check our brains at the door.
It seems natural you may want to know a little about me and my family. Melissa and I met at a hockey game and were married in 2000. Our eldest daughter Emma is a graduating Senior at TAMU Corpus Christi. We are pleased to say she has secured meaningful employment upon graduation. Caleb will be a senior and Heidi will be a junior in high school in the fall of 2024. Caleb starts on the football and baseball teams. Heidi is a cheerleader. They both are very involved in FRC robotics. (If any of you are in 3310 Blackhawk Robotics, please us know!) Melissa is Principal of LP Waters Early Childhood center and Director of Hunt County Head Start. Melissa is originally from a northern suburb of Seattle, Lynnwood, WA.
It is a tremendous honor to be appointed to serve with you. I shared with Melissa, “It feels like I am being given command of an aircraft carrier.” FUMC Rockwall has a tremendous legacy and future to live up to. I pray to be up to the opportunities before us. I am praying for Joe and Becky as he retires. I am praying for FUMC Rockwall. I covet your prayers for our family as we transition to be with you.