I am excited about what God is doing here in and through the Covenant community. God is at work raising up a congregation that is missionaly focused on sharing God's love with the community and the world. Most recently we have connected with "Life For Children Ministries" - a ministry that seeks to support children who have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Kenya. I was blessed to be able to spend two weeks in Kenya in August or 2007, preaching in the city of Kisumu, and the rural village area of Wachara. We have recently sent funds directly to our contact in Kisumu, Pastor Walter Opendu, for emergency relief during the pending crisis in Kenya. With the funds we sent, Pastor Walter was able to buy food, mosquito nets, blankets and medical supplies to the people he is reaching out to in Kisumu. You can find out more about "Life for Children Ministry" go to www.lifeforchildrenministry.org. We are getting ready for our second annual "Operation Outreach" where servants from Covenant spread out throughout the Fort Wayne community in one day, to serve in the name of Christ.

I grew up in Kokomo, graduated from Ball State (B.S.), Asbury Theological Seminary (M.Div), and McCormick Theological Seminary (D.Min.). I have served churches from small towns to the inner city, from the rural area to the suburbs. (And enjoyed each and every one.)

My wife, Jada and I have been married 30 years and have two children.  Nathan (27) is married to Shanna and is a Purdue graduate who is working as an Engineer Schwartz Biomedical, LLC in Fort Wayne, IN.  His wife Shanna is working on her Masters degree in Counseling at Indiana Wesleyan University.  They live in Huntertown, Indiana.

Our daughter, Christen, is 25 and a graduate from Hope College in Holland, MI.  After a year of volunteer service with Americorp, she is now on the staff of the Engedi Church in Holland, Michigan, as their "Service Director".  Christen recently married Tony Bordenkircher on Memorial Day weekend of 2007.  They are now praying for guidance for their next steps in pursuing God's call in their life.

Jada is the Director of Special Education for Northwest Allen Schools.  She is very active in the church, chairing the International Missions Team and singing on the Covenant Praise team.

Over the years we were very involved in our children's activities: coaching t-ball, little league, softball, basketball, booster parents for the high school bands, among other things.  I enjoy sports: golf, fly-fishing, skiing, basketball, and discovered I enjoy backpacking when I went on a trip to Yosemite with others from Covenant.  I love to read, enjoy all kinds of music from pop rock, to jazz, to oldie goldies and enjoy going to movies.  And having recently attained a private pilots license.  I love to fly.

My love in ministry is being a part of a healthy, growing Christian community where people discover God's unconditional love and all-sufficient grace; where lives are changed and empowered, and where we discover a meaningful relationship with God and one another.  I believe God begins with us where we are and sticks with us every step of the way. I  love being a part of our ministry team and staff and thoroughly believe in the promise, potential and purpose of Covenant United Methodist Church.