My family roots are in the hills of West Virginia… near Bluefield. As firstborn of six, I assumed the role of “responsible, oldest child.” High school graduation brought a football scholarship to the University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL. After one short year, I returned to Appalachia and became a coalminer.

In 1977, I met and married the love of my life, Cindy O’Brien. Within a few years, we were busy with two wonderful sons, Mike and Dan. During this period, we began sensing a strong call to pursue a path toward full-time Christian ministry.

In 1982, we entered Lee University, Cleveland, TN where I earned the degree Bachelor of Arts – English. Upon graduation in 1985, we moved to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX. Three years later, I completed the degree Master of Divinity. The next part of the journey brought us to Richmond, VA and the Fairmount Memorial Baptist Church.

Since that time, I have invested 24 continuous years serving four Virginia Baptist churches – all with “Memorial” in their names. Each “Memorial” has contained both beauty and ashes; each has been multi-layered, multi-staffed, deeply complex, and immeasurably rewarding. My journey has been rich and formative. I have learned to trust in Jesus, to depend upon his word.

After 24 years of full-time congregational leadership in multi-staff churches, I believe that God has called and equipped me to serve churches and people experiencing pastoral transition.