I was born in the Füssen at the foot of the Alps and spent the first 19 years of my life in the German state of Bavaria where my parents serve as missionaries. I grew up with experiences like walking along the Blue Danube (actually more like a murky brown), crossing through the Berlin wall into communist East Germany, and being amazed at Michelangelo’s paintings in the Sistine Chapel. However, though I have been to at least 7 countries in Europe and have visited the historic sites of Berlin and Rome, the best part of growing up in Germany was being in a home with parents who knew the Lord and made it a priority to teach their children the Word of God.
From as early as I can remember, the Bible was a central part of our family. We were in church every time the doors were open, family devotions were a daily occurrence, and spiritual matters were of greatest importance. I remember specifically the time when I was four and my mother read the story of the crucifixion to me. I asked why Jesus had to die on the cross. When she explained that it was because I was a sinner and he had to die to pay the penalty of sin for me, I remember kneeling and praying to accept Christ as my Savior.
I went to a Christian boarding school for high school and there I was confronted with a choice. Away from the watchful eyes of my parents, I had the opportunity to choose between two groups of people. One group consisted of those who had grown up in Christian homes and were going to a Christian school, but were not really interested in living for the Lord. God’s grace was abundant, however, allowing me to belong to the other group for whom Christianity included a total commitment to God and His Word.
It was during my high school years and in the four ensuing years at Calvary Bible College in Kansas City that the Lord gave to me a desire to serve Him in full-time ministry. In 2002, my wonderful wife, Becca, and I moved out to southern California where I am currently attending The Master’s Seminary. I am honored in this time of concentrated preparation for ministry to be involved in the Lord’s work here at Calvary Bible Church. The verse given to me both at my baptism and wedding is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” As we lean on God alone and make Him a part of all of our ways, we trust Him to do great things with and through us.