I grew up in the Denver suburbs and graduated from Arvada West in 1993. Following graduation, I attended Concordia University in Seward, NE and earned a degree in Christian education. My final year at Concordia was a yearlong internship that took place at Vineyard of Faith Ministry in Windsor, CA. After graduation I stayed on staff doing youth ministry.

While serving there, I met my wife, Anita. We were married on June 2, 2001 and, within a few months, decided to move to St. Louis so I could attend Concordia Seminary.

During my Seminary years, my heart for church planting shifted from a suburban to an urban setting. I helped cast the vision for the restart of a congregation near Saint Louis University and worked at Lutheran Hour Ministries where I developed RE-YourLife. Seminary concluded with an internship at Peace with Christ in Aurora, CO who then called me to plant Genesis in downtown Denver. I was ordained on July 16, 2006.

Since ordination, I have been using Genesis as a means of exploring alternative forms of church planting in an urban setting (a venture which prompted the writing of the elemental life), and am the pastoral lead for the fshbwl.

My wife, Anita, is a teacher turned homemaker for our son Robbie, who was born in September of 2006. She is a gifted musician and together they enjoy spending time with Robbie, movies, music, and theater. I also enjoy the outdoors and is an avid Bronco fan.