I am thrilled to be pastor at North Park Church since Spring 2009. I am also thrilled to be the husband of Beth and the father of four awesome, now adult, children who are scattered around the country. Beth and I live in Wexford, close to the church, but we came from far away. We migrated to Pittsburgh after living our entire lives in Florida. I am from Ocala. Beth is from Bradenton. We met as students at the University of Florida. Our adult lives were spent in Palm Bay, Florida where I pastored Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) for more than 24 years. 

   What would make us move from Florida to Pittsburgh? God. And the great joy of leading a church like North Park where people truly love our Savior and desire to advance His fame.

Other factoids – holds M. Div from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi. Was born June 11, 1957. Grew up Southern Baptist. Became Presbyterian in college. Played and coached basketball. Was the teacher on the radio program The Bible and Life for more than twenty years. Likes humor, reading, Florida Gators.

I was born and raised in Carrollton, Texas, a LONG way from Pennsylvania.  I am happily married to Kristin, whom I met while we were both living in Mississippi.  Most recently, we lived in Miami, Florida.  Before coming to North Park, I served on Active Duty with the Army National Guard as a Chaplain.  We have been blessed with two beautiful children: Belle, born 7/2011 and Robby, born 2/2013.  God has been so good to us.

I graduated from the University of Texas in 2007 with a B.A. in History and from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS in 2010 with an M.Div. in Counseling.  I continue to serve part-time in the Army National Guard as the Chaplain of the 1-107 Field Artillery Regiment in New Castle, PA.  I enjoy my family, good books, and old friends.

I was introduced to North Park Church through my work at Family Guidance, Inc., where I served as Director of the Partnership for Families, a network of over 100 churches in the greater Pittsburgh area seeking to establish intentional and proactive ministry to families.  While at Family Guidance, I also served as Southwestern PA Director of HomeBuilders (a small group ministry for couples), coordinated with the National Fatherhood Initiative in designing the DADDs fatherhood program, trained couples to be marriage mentors, and lead numerous classes and seminars for married and engaged couples. Being involved with so many different churches has allowed me to see just how precious a church like North Park is. It is a joy to serve here!

Prior to my work with Family Guidance, Inc., I worked for 20-plus years in the engineering and construction industry, finally as VP of Business Development for an international company servicing the steel-making industry. It is truly a God-thing that I can apply my varied background to come alongside the ministry at North Park Church.

Along with Janet, my lovely wife of 37 years, I am blessed with two precious daughters, two great son-in-laws, and five wonderful grandchildren.

Gayla and I are excited to be here at North Park Church! We come from Cleveland, OH, where I served for over 20 years both in church positions and as a freelance musician in various capacities. There, as a displaced, avid Pittsburgh fan, I enjoyed supporting my teams as a “stranger in a strange fan base.” Gayla and I have eight home-educated children, two of which are married; our heart’s desire has been to live our lives in such a way as to demonstrate to the world around us that God is real, that He loves us, and that He is faithful to those He calls His own through Christ Jesus.

I was born on Aug. 14, 1959, and grew up in New Wilmington, PA, where my father, a Presbyterian minister, taught Bible at Westminster College. My mother played horn in the Youngstown (OH) Symphony, played piano and organ, sang, and taught music at YSU and Westminster. I graduated from YSU’s Dana School of Music in 1985, and completed a master’s degree there in 1993. I spent some years on the road with Christian bands, sharing the Gospel in public schools, and also with a Christian singer/recording artist based in Charlotte, NC. I enjoy my wife, my family, composing and recording music, camping and hiking, travel, sports, and reading.