A native southern California boy, I came to Colorado to go to school at Colorado State University, where I graduated from with a double degree in Music Performance in Percussion and Music Education, along with an unofficial minor in business finance. Go RAMS. While at CSU, I marched in the CSU Marching Band in the drumline for three years and was drum major for two years. After graduating I spent some time as a professional musician in the northern Colorado area as I applied to graduate schools for orchestral conducting and had accepted a graduate assistantship for a masters conducting program when the calling of becoming a pastor, that I have felt since 1st grade, finally became clear.
After seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota that took me to Central America, Seattle, WA, and Austin, Texas, my first congregation was on the Virginia side of the Washington, D.C., Metro area, where I served almost 5 years before receiving the call to be the Lead Pastor at Lutheran Church of Hope here in Broomfield in late Spring/early Summer of 2009. Since arriving in 2009, Broomfield has been our home, our place of work, and our playground.
When not pastoring, I enjoy spending time with my bride and two boys, golfing, playing games, eating great BBQ, and enjoying a good manhattan or bottle of good red wine.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Jennifer and I have been married 19+ years now and are raising two incredible boys, Stephen and Jacob. Stephen attends Holy Family High School and plays on the lacrosse team while Jacob is in his last year at Nativity Faith & Reason headed to Holy Family for high school where he plans to run cross country and track. Jennifer has been on staff at Nativity Faith & Reason School now for about 8 years and is transitioning to faculty next year where she will be teaching 1st grade.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I was a professional musician before entering seminary. I’ve been here at LCHope now for 14+ years, while serving my first congregation just shy of 5 years. I love being a pastor. I have the sacred honor of walking with folks – thru their good times and worse times and all the in between times – I get to be a part of life milestones all through the journey of life. I get to pray with folks, sing with folks, sit with folks, walk with folks, and figure out with folks how we can shape and change the world with God’s unconditional love. I love when someone discovers when their talents, gifts, and abilities shape and change the world for the good. I don’t have all the answers but I am not afraid to ask the questions. I see an exciting future ahead for the church that I’ll continue to serve until retirement and the next part of life calls my name.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Dickey’s BBQ, Burns Pub, Hops and Drops, and for a quick lunch, Noodles
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
14 years
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
John and Beth Bosio – They raised their family here, built a business, have faced adversity, incredibly generous and are willing to talk to anyone and everyone about their lives and experiences.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Movies: Keeping the Faith, Christmas Vacation TV Shows: Blue Bloods, Schitt’s Creek, Bosch
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Follow your passions, and when you think you have worked enough, work harder. Play and rest as hard as you work!
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I’ll be honest, I miss our old Broomfield Target. On a more serious note, In Memoriam Funeral Parlour continues to remind me of a Broomfield staple: a family-owned local business serving the community with care, passion, and professionalism.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Bono. I’d love to talk his passion and love for performing and entertaining through music while at the same time having a heart for humanity and wanting to do some good in this hurting world. I’d say probably Burns Pub for some fish and chips and a good stout beer.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Parks, Open Space, Trails, and Broomfield Days. I love how we as Broomfielders today are trying to balance the heritage and vision of Broomfield to the reality of now being part of the Denver Metroplex.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Well, I got 11 years to go before retirement from ministry. I told my bride 30 years of ministry and then its time to explore the final third of life together seeing where our kids and their lives are taking them … she’s always wanted a camper or RV, so maybe that is our future. Lots of golf on fascinating courses across the country and world.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I have always wanted to be a really good ballroom dancer a la Strictly Ballroom. I have fond memories of learning the classic dances and dancesteps growing up in cotillion
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
A really good Manhattan made with rye and served ‘up’ in an iced-chilled coupe glass enjoyed with great family and friends. A close second would be a big and bold bottle of cabernet sauvignon with a great filet on a summer’s evening on the deck with family and friends.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and children, hands down every day. My congregation. And my extended family.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Three Words: Love, Enjoyment, Authentic. Phrases: Don’t Take Yourself too Seriously, Dance like nobody’s watching, and have the courage of your convictions.