Introducing myself
Oregon has been my home all my life. I am a descendant of Oregon Trail pioneers and grew up on a portion of the original Deardorff land claim of 1851. I attended schools in Happy Valley and Clackamas, Oregon and then went on to Oregon State University to prepare for a career in veterinary medicine. But while at OSU I realized God had another direction for my life and that was to serve in full time ministry. I sensed that God wanted me to work for things that would transcend this life. Matthew 6:33 became my guiding scripture.
I went on to earn a BS in Psychology in 1969 from Cascade College, in Portland (not to be confused with the current college with the same name) and then on to complete a Master of Divinity in 1974 from Western Evangelical Seminary, now a department of George Fox University.
While at Cascade College I began serving in youth ministry at Trinity Community Church in Portland. I went on to become the pastor of the church from 1974 through 1988. Since January of 1989 I have been on the pastoral staff of New Hope Community Church also in Portland. I began serving there as a District Pastor, shepherding the members and managing the small groups in a geographic region. Since 1996 my responsibilities have also included serving as Pastor of Adult and Men’s Ministries and most recently Point Person for the Community Development Project.
My role as Pastor of Men’s Ministries has been the most rewarding. I have had the opportunity to be involved with regional Promise Keepers leadership teams and the National Coalition of Men’s Ministries. In 2006 I began T Men Ministries as a resource for sharing training and group study materials that I have developed or helped create since that time.
I have always made it a priority in my ministry to be leading and discipling men. There is no greater joy than to see men growing spiritually and leading other men in the same process. 2 Timothy 2:2 has been my guiding scripture in teaching the truth to trustworthy men who will also teach others. The goal is to see men be transformed into the likeness of Christ. (Rom. 8:29; 12:2)
While ministry in the Lord is important it does not supercede my devotion to my family. I have been married to my wonderful wife Shirley since 1965 and through our marriage God has given me three married daughters and eleven (yes eleven!) grandchildren. One of my delights and blessings has been to see my own family all walking in the Lord.
