Staff | Students

Like many pastors, this was not my initial career choice. I spent my early college years with no clear direction as to what God had in store for me. It was the day before fall classes began that I gained the courage to submit to the idea of the pastoral ministry. Within 24 hours, I was registered at Southwestern Bible College and attending my first religious studies class ever. It was the most uncomfortable, yet assuring feeling I have ever had.

During my time at Southwestern I met a beautiful young lady named Amber; 18 months later, we were married and graduated from college. From then the pace of life really went into high gear. God opened the door for me to serve as the Junior High Pastor here at Palmcroft, where I had grown up and participated in ministry since I was a kid. Following five years in the junior high ministry, I spent another five years serving as the High School Pastor. Ten years of ministry and three of our own kids later, we are currently ministering to college students. God has been faithful in allowing me to serve within my passion of discipling students in Christ-like faithfulness and biblical truth.

“The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly,” (Soren Kierkegaard).

It truly is exciting to look back and see what God has done in my life and where He has brought me. I moved to Phoenix and began attending Palmcroft just prior to junior high. After graduating high school, I attended community college and began volunteering in the junior high ministry at Palmcroft. Throughout college God moved mightily in my heart and life, growing my understanding of Him and passion to live for Him.

Due to my love for students and passion for teaching, I transferred to Southwestern College and graduated in 2006 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministries. I came on staff at Palmcroft during my last year at Southwestern, working full time with the junior high students. In 2009 my responsibilities transitioned to the high school students with whom I am currently ministering to. It is my passion and prayer to give them an understanding of who God is, because I firmly believe that our view of God will determine our conduct.

In 2007 I married my beautiful wife and long-time friend, Meghan (Phillips). In my spare time, I enjoy running, coaching, and reading. I am also currently pursuing my Master’s Degree from Liberty Theological Seminary.

It has been quite the journey ever since I graduated from Northwest Christian High School in 2005. In 2005 I set my course for the track of professional youth ministry within the church.

In my search for the proper college, I landed on Southwestern College here in Phoenix, Arizona. Southwestern offered me a chance to accomplish my task and attain my Bachelor’s Degree in youth ministry. Along the way, in 2006 I took a youth ministry internship position here at Palmcroft as a way to learn from some of the best and achieve hands-on experience in the field. I can honestly say that working as an intern for three years confirmed in my mind that the course of youth ministry was the desire God had placed on my heart. After graduating in 2009 with my Bachelor of Science in Christian Ministries, I was blessed to receive an offer as a full-time Junior High Pastor here at Palmcroft. It was my honor to accept the position and never once have I looked back. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and discipling my students in order to see them grow and experience God’s presence in their lives. A mentor of mine quoted T.S. Elliot to me saying, “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” Ever since 2005, it has been my clear, unwavering mission to see how far God will take me down the road of ministry.

When I am not spending time with my students, you may find me hacking away on the golf course or perhaps coaching soccer, if not playing it myself. I also enjoy a good cup of coffee and the blessed foods, bacon and cheese. Nonetheless, my all-time favorite activity right now is sitting down and reading books to my little niece.