Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Thank you, West Michigan & Michigan Conferences, for a broad range of ministry experiences from my first appointment at Center Park UMC in August 1989 to retiring from Greenville First UMC on July 1, 2026. A rural church, small town and city churches, campus ministry, and a new church start gave me a wide view of the vitality of The United Methodist Church. Conference service with the Division of Higher Education & Campus Ministry inspired me and kept me alert to the creative risk taking needed to serve young adults. Baptized in a Presbyterian Church, confirmed in a United Church of Christ, and ordained in The United Methodist Church grounded me in the world parish dimensions of God’s New Creation. My faith gained an evangelical heart at Three Oaks UMC and a social conscience at the CMU Wesley Foundation. Just as being a pastor makes no sense apart from a congregation, my being a pastor makes no sense apart from Beverly, my wife and ministry partner through 43 years of marriage this August. I thank God for the family, friends, and neighbors who make up my great cloud of witnesses and embody all the kinds of grace God gives us in this life. I can confirm the church sign a block away from our seminary apartment in 1985: The sure sign of God is that you will be led in ways you did not intend to go.
Appointment History
[(FE) D 1987; FE 1991] Center Park 8/1/1989; Director, WMU Wesley Foundation 2/16/1993; New Church Start, Rockford (Assoc) 2002; White Pines New Church Start 2004; White Pines and Courtland-Oakfield 2009; Hartford 2011; Wayland 2014; Greenville 2020.