Leadership

My wife, Lisa, and I are so happy to be part of the Camelback family!

I began following Jesus as a young boy in Minnesota, and we soon moved back to France where my parents served as missionaries. Some of my earliest memories are waking up early and heading downstairs to read the Bible with my dad on his lap.
We moved from France to Deerfield, IL while I was in grade school, so I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. I attended Wheaton College (1988) and went on to Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for a M.Div. and eventually a Ph.D. (New Testament). Our family spent a memorable year at Tyndale House, Cambridge, where I worked on my dissertation. I have been a pastor for some 30 years.

Lisa and I met when I was the Singles Pastor at College Church in Wheaton, IL—that’s a fun story for another time! We have been married since 1996 and God has blessed us with four wonderful children: Claire, Julia, Sarah, and Andrew.
I love hiking, reading, long road trips, and National Parks. But most of all, I love the church. I look forward to meeting you!

I became a Christian in 6th grade after reading the Bible and seeing God’s amazing plan of  redemption fulfilled in Jesus. All I knew at the time was I needed to tell other people about this Jesus who had saved me. Through discipleship, experience, and God’s providence, He has refined this calling to be summarized as “becoming more like Jesus and helping others do the same.” I enjoy serving alongside my Camelback family and pursuing Jesus together through our discipleship ministries.

I grew up just north of Kansas City, MO, the home of the best BBQ in the world and the best football team in the world, go Chiefs! After high school, completed a BA in Bible at Hannibal Lagrange University, then moved to Ft. Worth to attend seminary at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I met my wife Christin there, who was fresh off the mission field in Southeast Asia and working on a MA in Islamic Studies. I have completed a MDiv and ThM in Old Testament, and am working on my PhD in Old Testament. We have one daughter named Charleigh Rose.  

I’ve spent the last 30 years as a leader in the public, business and religious communities with experience serving in a variety of roles.  From 1989 through 2001, I was a professional firefighter and EMT-A, working on the front lines of emergency services in Sandpoint, Idaho. I left the Fire Service after starting my own business at the age of 31. Together with my partners and staff, we quickly established a reputation for excellence and innovation in the building integration, automation, and wireless broadband industries.  This led to the successful sale of the business in 2007.

Following the sale of the business, I felt a calling into ministry, and in 2008, I accepted a position as Worship and Creative Arts Pastor for LIFEchurch360 in the Seattle area with a deep passion for serving others and spreading the gospel. In 2019, I was hired as the Executive Pastor of Administration at The Grove Church in Marysville, Washington. In this role, I oversaw the day-to-day operations of the church, managing a large staff and ensuring the smooth functioning of facilities, finances and technology.

Recently, my wife Angie and I decided to fulfill a dream by moving to Phoenix to be closer to family, enjoy more sunshine and a lot less rain. It wasn’t on my “radar” to  serve as the Director of Administration here at Camelback Bible Church.  But God has a way to put us where we need to be if we trust and follow Him.  It’s been quite a ride! 

I began following Jesus at an early age with great godly parents. I grew up in Modesto, California and began to pursue a career in architecture. During that time, God began to stir my heart for vocational ministry.

This led me to Grand Canyon University where I received a bachelor's degree in Christian Studies where I met my beautiful wife Nicole. With a heart that loved Camelback Bible Church, we desired to stay in Phoenix and continue my education at Phoenix Seminary where I am currently pursuing my Masters of Divinity. I love working as the  College Ministry Director as well as other responsibilities at Camelback.

Nicole and I love hiking, running, and most of all the Church. We are excited and expectant of what God has in store for Camelback!

I began following Christ in high school during a time of personal discipleship. Around that time, I saw my love of the Bible, learning, and kids become even stronger and how they all work in harmony. I have always enjoyed working with kids in various capacities, including volunteering at church, teaching kindergarten PE, and teaching 6th-grade math. I received my BA in Educational Studies from Arizona State University. My husband, Ryan, and I are currently pursuing our MDivs at Phoenix Seminary.

As a California native, I developed a deep love of warm weather and sunshine, making Phoenix the perfect place to live! In my free time, I enjoy reading, learning, chatting with friends, and trying new coffee shops.

My desire for Camelback Kids is to come alongside families as they disciple their children and teach our kids to delight in the Lord. It excites me to serve at Camelback and help the youngest generation grow in their faith and understanding of the Bible!

My wife Jeanne and I are thrilled to return to Camelback this year, having served for over 10 years in the early 2000’s – Jeanne as the director of Camelback’s preschool and I as the pastor of music ministries.

I was born and raised in a Christian family in the scenic Hudson Valley of NY state and gave my life to Jesus as a young teenager. My parents were active in ministry in our small church, and I served there as a pianist through my teens. I also participated in band, choir, and musical theater through high school. Jeanne was born in Boston, grew up on Cape Cod until her missionary family moved to the island of Bonaire to “suffer for the Lord in the Caribbean,” and returned 7 years later to Transworld Radio’s headquarters in New Jersey.

Jeanne and I met at Houghton College (NY), where I earned my bachelor’s in music education. We were married after graduation and began working at the Stony Brook School on Long Island. Graduate school followed at the Eastman School of Music and Arizona State University, where I earned the master and doctorate in choral music. With our three children, we have lived in West Virginia and upstate NY before moving to Arizona to work at Camelback. I eventually stepped down from this ministry to teach at Scottsdale Christian Academy, where I also was high school principal for two years, and to teach in the Great Hearts charter school system. During all this time I also have been the chorus master for the Phoenix Symphony. Our return to the Arcadia area has now opened the door for Jeanne to teach at Veritas Prep, her third Great Hearts school.

I am passionate about seeing people use their gifts in music and to see music used as a tool for serving and worshiping God. We are excited to be back and are looking forward to many years of service in this wonderful congregation.

As a Phoenix-raised musical artist, I've been called to lead Contemporary Worship at Camelback Bible Church. With over a decade devoted to my music career, My journey has been enriched by live performances at local venues, where I've curated live shows for yself and others.

A defining moment came in 2021 when I was honored to win the prestigious Proof is in the Pudding competition. This afforded me the incredible opportunity to open for the legendary rockstar Alice Cooper at his esteemed 2021 Christmas Pudding Concert. Throughout my musical journey, I've remained steadfast in my belief that all glory belongs to Christ, the source of my talents.

My passion for music stems from a deep commitment to worship and honor God. I am driven by the desire to encourage and uplift our community through the gifts bestowed upon us by the Lord. In every note I play and every lyric I sing, my aim is to point others towards the greatness of God and the honor of worshiping Him.