I was born and raised in Durham, NC, amidst all shades of blue and survived to the bright color of Wolfpack Red. I grew up at Epworth UMC in Durham and was very active in the life of the Church as they played a pivotal role in helping me hear and discern God’s call upon my life to pastoral ministry. My wife, Abby, was born and raised in Boone, NC, and grew up at Boone UMC, singing in their praise band from middle school to her graduation from App State. Abby and I met at the Wesley Foundation (United Methodist Campus Ministry) at Appalachian State, where we are both alumni. I immediately attended Duke Divinity School in 2015, and while at Duke, I felt called by God to be a student pastor. This extended my time at Duke by a year but allowed me to work and apply my learning in the Church in real time, which has greatly benefited my ministry. While at Duke and for a year after graduating, I served at St. Luke UMC in Sanford (2015-2020) as their Associate Pastor, Youth Director, and other things. In 2020, we moved to First UMC in Siler City, NC (2020-2024). Abby is currently the Theatre Teacher at Cary High School. Asher, our son, was born near the beginning of the Pandemic in June of 2020, just ten days before we moved to Siler City, and we welcomed our daughter Collins on March 15, 2023.
I am passionate about all things of the Church: worship, mission, fellowship, community, spiritual formation, youth, children, and fun (yes! Church is fun). I am drawn ever close to Jesus’ words, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” We spread the good news of Jesus Christ, invite others to know Jesus, and embody the glory of the Resurrection when we love others as Christ loves us.