Hello

I grew up in Washington Court House, Ohio, U.S.A., where I was baptized and confirmed in the Grace United Methodist Church (UMC).  I became involved in my church at a very young age after an experience (no joke) watching sheep when I questioned God’s existence, and God became real to me. 

 

It was mainly a farming community in southern Ohio, where I helped to bail hay, plant and harvest crops, and, of course, raise our sheep. 

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I joined the military to serve God and my country. For over 30 years, at various military chapels and non-military churches worldwide.  Whilst in the Air Force, I flew reconnaissance missions around the world, commanded the 23d Information Operations Squadron in Texas, led NATO operations in Afghanistan, and, I was an assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence at the Pentagon. I was retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2010 for being gay. 

 

After retirement, as a civilian, I advised Headquarters U.S. Army on electronic warfare and international partnerships.  

I then received clear guidance from God to be a presbyter, and I enrolled in seminary. 

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I interned as a pastor at Rising Hope UMC in Virginia, a church for the homeless and low-income people, where I learned from them and felt God’s joy in people’s generosity. 

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In May 2018, I received a Master of Divinity degree with honours from Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C. God opened a way for me to go to Cambridge, UK, to do coursework for a diploma in theology and ministry from the University of Cambridge through Wesley House. I also served in a pastoral placement at Wesley Methodist Church in Cambridge.   

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God then lead me to transfer to the Methodist Church of Britain. I returned the next year to the University of Cambridge to pursue a Master in Philosophy for Theology (New Testament Studies) at Clare College.  I graduated from there in 2020. I would also graduate in 2022 again from Wesley Theological Seminary with a Master in Theological Studies, writing about how the Gospel of John influenced the development of sacraments in the early church.  While in Cambridge, I also ministered as a worship leader, preacher, and pastor on the Cambridge Circuit plan.   

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I was ordained as a presbyter on 26 June 2022.  Two weeks before that, I had the honour of conducting the first ever same-sex wedding in a church in the Redcar and Cleveland Borough.

 

My core values include taking one faithful step with God at a time and serving others before myself.  These have guided me throughout my life. 

 

I look forward to working with you. I pray that we may learn and grow together, helping each other to live well into God’s nature and will, by the example of Jesus Christ and inspired by the Holy Spirit.  

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In my spare time, I enjoy talking about and practising theology (obviously), skiing, hiking, reading, travelling, drinking tea or coffee, Celtic Christianity, and experiencing new cultures. My parents, siblings, and their families live in Florida, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. 

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Grace and peace to you all. 

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