A well-known theologian was once asked what he had learned in all his years of theological study. He replied, “Jesus loves me, this I know.” It has been my thrill to know this love my whole life. My mom taught me about Jesus’ love when I was a little boy. Our lives were full of uncertainty after my father died when I was 22 months old, but one thing we never doubted was the love of God we experienced over and over again. In fact, one of the songs my mom and I sang often was “Isn’t the Love of Jesus Something Wonderful.” It was because I knew Jesus loved me that I went to Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri to prepare for the ministry. After graduating with a BA in Bible, I accepted the call to be a youth pastor at Fairfax Assembly of God (now Centrepointe Church). For seven years, I was blessed with one of the most fun jobs imaginable—sharing God’s love in creative, crazy ways and experiencing the passionate way students responded to Jesus’ love. It was during this time that I met my wife, Kimberly.
After completing my Master’s degree in Theological Studies, we accepted a call to pastor a church in Columbia, Maryland, where we shared God’s love for another seven years. It was in Columbia that the Lord again poured out his love by giving us two beautiful daughters, who are both married with children of their own now. It has been one of the best things in my life to watch my two daughters discover God’s love and grow in it.
Since 1999, Kimberly and I have been blessed to be able to share God’s love here in Alexandria, Virginia—not too far from where I was born—with the people of Faith Fellowship and the surrounding community.
When I was a boy, Jesus’ love grew in my heart as I sang songs of his love. As a man, I keep experiencing what St. Augustine must have experienced when he said:
“O Lord, thou didst strike my heart with thy Word and I loved thee.”
Over and over again, as I read, study, and preach God’s word, he strikes my heart and I know Jesus loves me all over again. My mission is to share the wonderful love of Jesus with as many people as I can. It would be my great joy to share that love with you.