Community Presbyterian Church
El Monte, California 91732
626-448-5403

• Education: B.S. Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic College, Pomona, in 1971. M. Div., San Francisco Theological Seminary, Southern California, in 2004.
• Experience: Geotechnical and civil engineer, 1971 to 1984. Self-employed geotechnical (soils) engineer, 1984-present. Deacon, member of Sanctuary Choir, member of Disaster Committee, Sunday School Teacher (Jr. High) and member of Property and Finance Commission at Claremont Presbyterian Church, 1991-2002. M.Div. student at San Francisco Theological Seminary, Southern California, 1997-Present. Student Pastor at Community Presbyterian Church, 2002-Present.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: By 37 years of training and experience, I am a professional engineer. I really don’t have a lot of use for anything that doesn’t tell me how to use what I am hearing. I need to know what good something is, and I have this need to teach my congregation how to use the wonderful things that I have to say.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: "Six Ways to Pray," Pastor Ron Graf, Alta Loma Brethren In Christ Church.
• One of my favorite illustrations: I once overheard a wise, old chief petty officer of the U. S. Coast Guard tell a visibly aggitated young officer, "Sir, if ya can’t stand all the possible answers, then ya ought not be asking the question!"
• Family: Married (36 years) to Sandy, my high school sweetheart, with one married daughter, Phyllis, one great son-in-law, Milo, one absolutely wonderful (!!!) granddaughter, Kyli, and two spoiled rotten, miniature dachshunds, long-haired Brenda and smooth-haired brindled Sara.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My parents are both deceased. I like to think that they’d like my sermons -- my wonderful mother-in-law does!
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: Sandy has been simultaneously my greatest source of support and my most practical critic. She says I have a unique way of explaining things that makes sense.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: "Be yourself and deliver the message that God gives you."
• Books that have had an impact: "Too Busy Not to Pray," by Bill Hybels "Conversation with God," by Lloyd John Ogilvie "The Wounded Healer," by Henri J. M. Nouwen "The Romance of Preaching," by James W. Angell "Soul Feast," by Marjorie J. Thompson "In the Name of Jesus," Henri J. M. Nouwen
• Hobbies: Fishing, sailing, boating, fly fishing, amateur radio (KC6LUE), SCUBA diving and 4-wheeling and, of course, spoiling my granddaughter.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: I would open with the 24th verse of the 118th Psalm: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Then I would continue to harp on the theme that we have this unmerited, free gift of salvation through the grace of God by faith in our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: My daughter was sitting in the front pew when I was preaching a sermon entitled, "Lessons from a Sheepherder." I got off on one grand and glorious tangent, greatly away from my prepared text, when I noticed Phyllis grinning. She knew what was happening to her dad. I managed somehow to get back on track, but when she left after the service, she gave me a kiss and said, "Nice save, Dad!"
• What I want on my tombstone: A Sailor Has Come Home. Praise God!!