I experienced Christ's love and forgiveness as a young child, but became more serious about my relationship with Him at a crisis point as a Sophomore in High School. I also sensed that the Lord was leading me to serve Him in a vocational role. After graduating from Midpark High School (1982), and attending an international Christian school in Europe for a year, I enrolled at Columbia International University (BA,1986; MA,1988), where the Lord brought Mary and me together. We married in 1988, settling in Nyack, New York, where we continued to prepare for ministry at Alliance Theological Seminary (M.Div 1990).

After 8 years of pastoring in New York and New Jersey, the Lord directed us back to Grace Church in March of 1998, giving me the great privilege of investing in a church that had such a shaping influence in my formative years. As Senior Pastor I am involved in preaching and teaching, pastoral care, and leadership development. Mary, our five children, and myself are grateful to be part of a church that is reaching out into our community and into our world to share the life-transforming love and power of Christ.

At the age of five I trusted Christ but made a decision to follow Him wholeheartedly my Sophomore year of High School. Upon graduation from Oral Robert's University (BS,1985) I took a sales position with NCR Corporation in Birmingham AL. Three Years later I felt a growing desire to transition into ministry. After a stint with Youth With a Mission, Nancy and I married in 1990. We continued to prepare for ministry at Alliance Theological Seminary (M.Div 1993).

During the past eight years we have experienced the growth of Grace Church, both with the birth of our three children and in the lives of those we are privileged to serve in the area of Assimilation.

As Pastor of Christian Education, my primary role is to pilot the ministry to children. The program encompasses a growing number of classes, small groups, ministry teams and affinity groups. With a strong and very capable team of leaders, teachers and parents, we endeavor to guide children to know Jesus intimately and to serve him wholeheartedly.

In addition to the ministry at Grace Church, Marsha leads a missions-related ministry for women. I serve in several Christian education related ministries and conduct the Heart of a Teacher Workshop to a growing number of churches and groups.

We are incredibly blessed to be a part of the Grace Church family.

To be able to serve the Lord with the gifts he gives is one of the greatest blessings anyone can receive. Joanna and I are truly blessed to serve the Lord at Grace Church.

I received Christ in a Sunday School class at a very young age, but struggled with my spiritual walk until I was a freshman in college. It was then that I made a serious commitment to serve Him and grow in my faith. At the same time I met Joanna and it soon became very clear God was showing me how my life was beginning to come together. We were married in June 1993 and shortly after started a family. Cameron Joshua was born July 1994 and Paige Marissa in June 1996. We have been attending Grace church since the Spring of 1995.

I graduated from the Cleveland School of Science (1991) and received a BA in accounting from Cleveland State University (1997). As Administrator of Grace Church I enjoy managing the support staff, facility and grounds and providing over-site to several ministries. I am excited about the work the Lord is doing here and look forward to growing with you! God Bless! Joanna and I are truly blessed to serve the Lord at Grace Church.

Jr. High
Research indicates that a person 19 or older has a 6% probability of receiving Jesus as Savior. That's why Nicole and I enjoy the fun high-paced ministry with junior high students. We desire to create an environment where kids are safe to be who they are, free to find out what they think about God (and what He thinks about them), and develop friendships that will last through these critical years.

Young Adult Singles
Over 50% of the adult population in the United States are single verses 30 years ago when it was less than 25%. As pastor to young adults at Grace Church, my desire is to develop a community of adult singles ages 22-35 who seek to live by the truth of God's Word and desire to reach other adult singles in their sphere of influence.

My Story of Faith
After considering a relationship with Christ for 2 years, as a senior in high school, I decided to make Him my Savior and Lord. It was then I knew I would eventually serve Christ in a full-time capacity. After graduating from Bowling Green State University and marrying Nicole shortly after, I spent a little over 2 years as an accountant with Crowe Chizek before joining the staff team at Grace Church in January of 2001. I am currently taking classes at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School to obtain a Masters of Religious Studies. Nicole and I are also enjoying the blessing of our son Brandon, the first addition to the family. To be able to serve the Lord with the gifts he gives is one of the greatest blessings anyone can receive.