Tell us a little bit about your family and where you’re from.
I was born and raised in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. We moved to Knox County after my freshman year of high school. I graduated from Danville High School, then went on to attend Mount Vernon Nazarene University. There I met Rachel, and we got married in May 2023.
When did you meet Jesus?
When I was six years old, at a Vacation Bible School, I came to the realization of my great need for the Savior. After a message on God’s love for us and our need for Him, I prayed for forgiveness and that Jesus would guide and direct my paths. Ever since that day I have lived trying to serve and love Him in all I do.
When I was in high school, thinking through what I wanted to do with my life, I felt the Spirit tugging at my heart to go into vocational ministry. But I didn’t want that, I had my own desires for my life, and so I tried to run from the calling God had placed on my life. Right up until the start of my senior year of high school, if someone asked me what I was going to do after high school, I told them I was going to go to school for Criminal Justice and become a police officer. This was a desire that I had for my life. As I would continue to pray and seek His guidance, I couldn’t help but know that I was running from what God was calling me to. That summer, before the start of my senior year, I went to a teen camp. The messages for that week were on surrendering and fully submitting to Him and giving up anything and everything that stood in the way of following Jesus more. The last service of the week, as I sat there, and listened to the Pastor preach on what is holding you back from going all in. God made it clear to me that what was holding me back, was my own desires for my life. That evening I surrendered my desires and asked God to use me according to His will.
Since that service I have committed to living out this call that He has placed on my life. I attended Mount Vernon Nazarene University and I studied Pastoral Ministry, to prepare me for the future ministries that God leads me to.
What is one of your favorite Bible verses?
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 straight your paths.
What is your current role with Lifepoint? How long have you been on staff?
I am the Youth Director at Lifepoint Church. I started working at Lifepoint in June, 2024.
How do you hope your ministry will impact people?
The desire of my heart is to help others come to know and love Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! I hope to help all of our students put their faith and hope in Jesus and to help them discern what God is calling them to do with their lives.
What experience/education/training has helped prepare you for your current role?
I went to Mount Vernon Nazarene University for a Bachelor’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry. During my time at MVNU, I did multiple internships with local churches, helping launch college and young adult ministries, serving in the youth groups, and I also did my senior year internship, here, at Lifepoint Church!
What are some of your favorite shows, books, movies, music, etc?
I am a sports fanatic! Being from PA, I have always been obsessed with Pittsburgh sports. On Saturdays I can be found watching Penn State or the Pittsburgh Panthers. And on Sundays, after church, I am always watching the Steelers! My wife and I also enjoy the Office and Young Sheldon.
Two of my favorite books are The Five Marks of a Man, by Brian Tome, and Multiply, by Francis Chan.
I love a good movie, especially a good action movie. I enjoy the Marvel series. But my favorite movie of all time is Red Dawn without a doubt.
What do you do for fun?
I spend the majority of my free time with my family and friends! I’m a big family guy. I also am a big outdoorsman. I love to hunt, fish, and hike. I love deer and turkey hunting, but will do just about any of it! In the summer, you can typically find me floating down a river on my little, fourteen foot jon boat, fishing for some smallmouth bass! I also try to go to as many Steelers games as I can each year! I love to compete, so I enjoy church softball tournaments and a good evening of pickleball!