Colosse Baptist
Parish, New York 13131
315-625-7485

• Education: AA, Onondaga Community College, 1984 ~ BA, Syracuse University, 1986 ~ MA, Baptist Bible Graduate School of Theology, 1997
• Experience: In my home church, Grace Baptist (Syracuse, NY, Gary Welling, founding pastor & still going strong for the Lord), I did everything from voluntary cleaning staff to serving as a deacon. I taught Jr. Church and headed up the deaf ministry as well. All of that time gave us a good grounding to go off to Seminary with, and today I pastor a small, rural church in upstate, NY. It is exciting to serve the Lord.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: I hope you see Christ in my messages, and I hope by reading them others will see Christ more in you. It’s not always easy nor possible, but I try to make many of my messages "Scripture heavy" because if there’s more of His Word in what I say, there will be less of me saying anything. (The only original thing I have to offer anyone is original sin, and I suspect y’all already have enough of that on your own! So you’re better off if I just give you Jesus and His Word! Amen!)
• Sermon or series that made a difference: The Lord led me to bring a series on the Holy Spirit. I am not sure how much it meant to the folks on the other side of the pew, but He used it in my heart.
• One of my favorite illustrations: Bill Cosby, speaking to a group of graduating seniors, shared some of what his life was like in college. He wrestled with many of the same intellectual challenges we all face during that time of our life, including the philosophical question of whether the glass is half full or half empty. He admitted that his grandmother provided him with the best answer, when she said, "It depends if you’re pouring or drinking."
• Family: My wife Marie & I were married in 1987. We were both saved in 1988. We currently have 5 children: Charity, born in 1990; Geoffrey, born in 1996; Kara, born in 2000; and our 2nd son, Samuel, born in May, 2002. Our 2nd daughter, Grace, died of SIDS in 1992.
• What my parents think of my sermons: Both of my parents were deceased prior to my going into the ministry.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: I am so often surprised that God uses me to speak to any one, and that goes double for my wife (hey, she knew me "when" !). But of course then I am reminded, it really is ALL of the Lord. (Like, when should it be any of me?)
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Stand up, speak up, shut up! (I would hazard to guess that members of my church will wonder if I really was given that advice!) ~ Do not speak so you can be understood, but speak so you can not be misunderstood ~ Keep the holiness of God in mind for the sermon, and the love of God in mind for the invitation ~ Make sure you applications (and, really, your sermons) help people reflect on Christ in them (the hope of glory!), and how to help them draw Him out in every day living.
• Books that have had an impact: I know, the Bible is the "easy" answer, but honestly, during a dark time in my life before Seminary, the Lord used The Sermon on the Mount to draw me back to Him. I also like reading and re-reading "The Greatest Thing in the World" by Henry Drummond, and also "The Elements of Preaching" by Wiersbe & Wiersbe.
• Hobbies: I enjoy reading (though I don’t get to read as much as I like), history, poetry & mysteries, besides Christian biographies. And, yes, I even like reading "church" stuff (books on theology, preaching, etc.). I spend a lot of time online, and enjoy the Christian cyber world. I also enjoy trying to spend time with my family, `cause they are fun to be with. (I must admit I think we like the warmer weather better, because the ice cream stands are open then!)
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: What good reason do you have for not accepting God’s free gift of salvation? Really, what reason ~ good or bad ~ would you give to reject Christ and go to Hell?
• Something funny that happened while preaching: Our dog, Bridget, got loose during a service once! Whoo boy, was that a hoot!
• What I want on my tombstone: Well done thou good and faithful servant.