An Experienced Believer. My wife, Lisa, and I have been married 45 years and live in Donald, Oregon with four cats, and usually a group of foster kittens from a local shelter where Lisa does volunteer work. We have two grown boys who are married and have given us six grandkids. I became a Christian in 1974 at Canby Christian Church in Canby, Oregon, and began studying for the ministry just out of High School. I have a B.A. in Biblical Studies and Preaching from Puget Sound Christian College and an M.A. in Theology and Philosophy from Lincoln Christian Seminary. I have served seven different churches over the years and have only been fired once! I have been the Lead Pastor at Valley Christian Church in Wilsonville, Oregon for the last 17 years.
A Pastor and Teacher. As an ordained pastor of 44 years, I have had experience with congregations of all types and have been a part of both revitalizing established churches as well as planting new ones. Throughout the years I have worked with thousands of individuals, couples, and families in almost every life challenge and transition. Besides the Bible, the Christian life, and Christian spirituality, I have taught classes on marriage, parenting, addiction, codependency, boundaries, decision making, discovering God’s will, spirituality, spiritual gifts, and of course, communication and conflict resolution throughout my ministry. My specialty is to sit down and have growing conversations with Christians and Christian groups who want to move forward in their journey with Christ. I currently teach courses on communication, conflict resolution, and addiction at Canby Bible College in Canby, OR.
Certified Professional Coach and Communication Instructor. I am a certified professional life coach through New Vibe Training in Tualatin, and a certified instructor in Core and Couples Communication through Interpersonal Communications Programs, Inc. I have been teaching communication skills in the church for over 27 years and see communication as the most critical ingredient in establishing effective and Christ-like leadership teams that are able to work through any and all difficulties. I created the “Conversations that Grow” communication training framework and have written the book “Conversations that Grow” on how to learn, practice, and teach how to have conversations that grow.
Certified Christian Conciliator and Conflict Coach. I am a Certified Christian Conciliator through the Institute of Christian Conciliation (ICC) and professionally trained in secular conflict resolution through Clackamas County Resolution Services (CCRS) in Oregon City, OR. I have practiced conflict coaching and conciliation in numerous professional and relational contexts and have served as a conflict coach and conciliator with Bridge Builders Christian Resolutions in Tigard, OR, which specializes in assisting individuals and organizations who embrace a Christian faith-base.
