I was born and lived my entire childhood in Kirkwood, Missouri – a suburb in the St. Louis area. College took me to the University of Missouri. Work took me to Jackson, TN where I met my bride, Sheri. After working several management jobs, we moved back to St. Louis in the summer of 2002 so that I could begin studies at Concordia Seminary. Our twin girls were born that year. I graduated in 2006 and received a call to Hope. We have been here in Friendswood ever since.

I became a child of God in the water and word of Holy Baptism when I was 2 weeks old. I have spent the rest of my life continuing to learn what that means. My parents are both retired Lutheran School Teachers at St. Paul’s Lutheran, Des Peres, MO. My father was director of music as well. So I literally grew up within the church. After graduating from Lutheran High School South in St. Louis, I went out into the big world to pursue life outside of the church. Except for finding my bride, I never really found success or felt like I truly belonged. I finally figured it out and went back to my roots – back to the church. So you can say my story is a Jonah story – being called back to what I was supposed to do all along. The Word of God constantly reminds me that it’s all God’s grace – God’s love shown to me in Christ that I don’t deserve. And because of Christ, I now get to live the new creation life now!

Outside of the work of ministry (if that’s even possible) I enjoy messing around with computers and audio/video systems. I have a passion for caring for the land God has entrusted me and find joy in gardening and lawn care. I have nearly always enjoyed the thrill of riding bikes and continue to do so to this day – riding with a local cycling club.       

I am originally from Detroit, Michigan. After graduating from Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Michigan, I was a teacher of choir and theology at Martin Luther High School, first in Greendale, Wisconsin (near Milwaukee) and then in Maspeth, New York (part of Queens). After that, I worked for many years in church music in Omaha, Nebraska. I came to Hope in Fall of 2018.

I met my wife, Vivian at Concordia College, Ann Arbor. She is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. We have 4 children. Natalie is married, has an infant daughter, and lives in Omaha. Ethan is married and he and his wife live in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Son Avery is a student at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska and youngest son, Jonah.

Growing up in Detroit my spiritual path included time in the Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church and the Baptist Church until I became a confirmed Lutheran in 8th grade. Throughout my life there has been a connection between my faith in Jesus and the expression of that faith in music. I find great joy in using God’s gift of music to deepen our connection with God’s Word and to enhance worship services. It is my goal to encourage people to use their God-given gifts to serve the Lord and His church.

When not making music l enjoy biking, exercise, cooking, reading, shopping, and sight-seeing.

Katherine is responsible for effectively administering the business affairs of the church - freeing the ministry staff from the burden of managing day-to-day operations. She is responsible for financial affairs, human resources, and insurance administration. Katherine has been Hope's Business Manager  since July, 1999.   

I was born and raised on a small dairy farm near Oshkosh, Wisconsin.  I met my wife Wendy in high school and we married after her graduation.  We moved to Madison where I graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.  Our daughter was born during my senior year of college after which we moved to Charleston, West Virginia where I went to work for Union Carbide Corporation.  Our son was born in Charleston.  In my 32 years working for Union Carbide/Dow Chemical we were able to see the world, but this did require a number of moves – from Charleston, WV – to Yokohama, Japan – to Jubail, Saudi Arabia – to Charleston, WV – to Victoria, TX – to Friendswood. 

I have been a Lutheran all my life. Baptized, confirmed, and married in small Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church in Pickett, Wisconsin.  In Charleston our Lutheran Church options were rather limited -  so we decided to get more liberal and joined an LCMS church – one of only three Lutheran Churches in Charleston. In Yokohama our English speaking church options were even more limited, so we attended an Anglican Church.  In Saudi there were no legal church options available, but we returned to LCMS churches in our subsequent moves. I have been involved as member of the Board of Directors and Building Committee at Hope and managed Hope’s most recent project to build the Family Life Center/Gym, offices, and classrooms and after the project was completed, I joined the Staff as the Facilities Manager.

My time away from work is spent attending sports and theater events our grandsons are involved in.  I also enjoy fishing, boating, and kayaking and following  sports – still root for the Packers and season ticket holder with the Texans.