Jill, Alex, Aaron and I are very excited to be here in Sherwood, and be a part of Saint PaulLutheranChurch. I look forward to getting to know all of you, and working with you as we bring our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to our community.

This has been a long journey for me and my family; I have been a full-time student for the last five years. Before I went back to school, I served in the U.S. Air Force for twenty years, and traveled all over the world. The best assignment of my military career however was the eight years I spent inMountain Home,Idaho. I met my wife Jill there, and was confirmed, baptized and married at Faith Lutheran Church.

I discovered very quickly, not only was I adopted into Christ’s family through baptism, I was also adopted into the Lutheran family. What a wonderful family it is! The love, care, and support we are receiving here is proof we are one family in Jesus Christ. While my Air Force days are behind me, I’m still interested in anything that has to do with airplanes. I also like the outdoors, and I look forward to some hiking and camping in this beautiful state ofOregon. I thank God for bringing my family here safely, and may He bless all of us as we serve Him together.

I would like to introduce myself to you by sharing a little of my background.  I was born in Albion, Michigan.  My father passed away when I was thirteen.  My mother, twin sisters, and I moved to Hickory, North Carolina where I attended St. Stephens Lutheran School.

After high school I ventured out to St. Paul Lutheran College, Concordia, Missouri.  It is there that I met my wife, Maxine, who became a Lutheran school teacher.

I graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in 1967.  The Lord led us to Hamilton, Montana where I served for 31 years.  I had the opportunity to start two new mission congregations in the area.  I also served in various District positions.

In 1998 I came to Concordia University in Portland as Director of Church Relations.  Most recently I served as interim pastor at Pilgrim Lutheran Church and School in Beaverton.

We have three children and four grandchildren.  Our daughter Julie and her family live in Kansas City, Missouri.  Another daughter, Jill, and her family live in Beaverton.  Our son Mark and his wife live in St. Louis.