Meet our Pastor

I was appointed to Asbury and Northwood on July 1st 2016. This is my first appointment in the United Methodist Church. While this is my first appointment this is not my first experience in ministry. I have been serving as a youth pastor, and most recently was the youth and families pastor at Bethel United Methodist Church in Manly, Iowa. The process of getting this appointment took about five years and it started with a conversation with my pastor Don Preston after church at Bethel. First, I had to declare that I was a Candidate for ministry, then met with a mentor for a year, completed Licensing School, and now I am a Licensed Local Pastor.

Currently I am attending seminary at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. The program consists of attending class on Mondays and other course work done online during the week. It is a difficult process but rewarding too as I am able to transfer what I am studying into my ministry context. The plan is to graduate with my Masters of Divinity degree in 2021, get commissioned, and then apply for ordination in 2023.  (Update, I did finish seminary and graduated with my M.Div.)

My wife Melinda and I were married on August 14, 1999 and have two children Hannah and Carter. We moved to Manly in 2005 and purchased our “dream” acreage. It has turned into our hobby farm which includes llamas, chickens, ducks, 2 dogs, 2 cats and KuneKune pigs. Besides the church, our family is very involved in 4H and you can see many of our animals each summer at the Worth County Fair. We also love camping and just spending time outdoors and in nature.