I was born in the Dominican Republic, to missionary parents, on April 30, 1949. During my single digit years I alternatively lived in the Dominican Republic and the United States, and then moved to Argentina when I was twelve.
In Buenos Aires, Argentina I attended a British school, Saint Alban’s College, for my secondary education. Prior to graduation I began preaching, and ensuingly felt the call of God on my life for the ministry.
At the age of seventeen I returned to the United States, enrolling at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. There I met my future wife, Vickie, and we were married in Greenville, South Carolina on June 14, 1969. Our marriage has engendered four children (Tamara, Sean, Tiffany, and Courtney) and five grandchildren (Theo, Warner, Maddie, Annie, and Fletcher).
During the summer, right after our marriage, Vickie and I served as intern youth pastors in Spartanburg, South Carolina. On returning to Florida, I assumed the position of youth pastor at a church in St. Petersburg, and transferred to nearby Clearwater Christian College, graduating in 1972.
In the fall of that year I enrolled in the Master of Arts program at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL). I received a MA degree in Communications (magna cum laude) in 1973.
Upon graduation, I assumed the position of Vice President of Marketing with Christian Communications of Chicagoland, which purchased and operated Channel 38 in Chicago (known today as Total Living Network). Working closely with Owen Carr, I was part of the TV project from the time it was an idea until it went on the air.
Thereafter, in early 1975, Vickie and I accepted the assignment to plant a new church in Evergreen Park, IL through the auspices of the Stone Church of Palos Heights, IL. Maranatha Chapel grew quickly, becoming a flagship church in missions giving. During the subsequent twenty three years that I provided leadership for the new congregation, numerous Chicago area churches were mothered and not a few youth were called into the ministry.
At the same time, I was elected to numerous boards and positions within the denomination, the Assemblies of God. I served as presbyter in two Chicago sections, then as District Executive Presbyter, Assistant District Superintendent, and as a General Presbyter for the denomination. I has also served for 28 years as a board member of Teen Challenge Illinois.
In 1998, I received my Doctor of Ministry degree from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL. During the same year I was elected the Senior Pastor of the Oak Brook Community Church, resigning in 2006. For several months thereafter I served in itinerant and missionary ministry. Then, for ten months I was the Interim Lead Pastor at the historical Stone Church in Palos Heights, IL.
In late 2007 I was elected lead pastor of Brockton Assembly of God in Brockton, MA. Vickie and I are enjoying pastoring this multi-cultural congregation in the heart of this New England city. Our hopes are high for the future.
I have preached in over twenty five countries, and am currently in the process of writing two books — mainly “People of the Second Mile”, which lends its name to this site.
I have a number of avocations including collecting books, fountain pens, signatures and rare documents. I enjoy road trips, biking, hiking, and travel in general. In the process, I’ve been to all fifty states and almost as many countries, having numerous adventures along the way — too many to mention here.
I have been both married and a credentialed minister for thirty eight years. My main life goal continues to be to glorify the Lord Jesus by knowing Him personally, and by making Him known to others.
