Hello! I'm John

My desire is to support and comfort people along the journeys of life. As a Christian pastor, I am called to journey with you and be one greater than a friend. Whether you need a spiritual director, pastoral counselor, wedding officiant, or retreat speaker I am willing to travel with you along the journeys of life.   

EXPERIENCE

Chaplain

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KANSAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Senior level chaplain responsible for spiritual care, religious support programs, along with mentoring & supervising chaplain corps personnel. Experience at the battalion, brigade, division, and joint force headquarter levels. Veteran with multiple tours overseas and stateside.

Pastor

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EVANGELICAL FRIENDS CHURCH

Pastor with the Evangelical Friends Church since 2002. Ordained minister with an ecclesiastical endorsement. Experience with multiple congregations in the Mid-America region. Provided spiritual care, support, counseling, teaching, and preaching for the congregation and surrounding community.

Counselor

PREP; Love Thinks; & Laugh Your Way.

Certified Trainer and Instructor with Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program, Love Thinks, & Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage. All three are evidence-based programs that teach how to create strong, healthy, and stable marriages. They are exciting programs that teach relationship skills to new couples and can strengthen marriages of any length.

EDUCATION

2018-Present

Doctor of Ministry

AZUSA PACIFIC SEMINARY

36 hour D.Min. degree in Spiritual Formation & Pastoral Leadership from an Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary. Doctoral candidate currently in the program. 

2001-2005

Master of Divinity

NAZARENE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

90 hour M.Div. degree from an Association of Theological Schools accredited seminary. 

1993-1996

Bachelor of Science

KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY

120 hour B.S. degree in Political Science.

APPROACH

Being a paraclete is how I approach ministry. The Greek word paraclete means comforter, counselor, advocate, director, and guide. A paraclete is one who is "called to our side." One greater than a friend. One who will journey with you, no matter how difficult the path.

ORGANIZATIONS

SERVICES

WEDDINGS

Professional weddings tailored to fit your unique personalities and charm. Premarital counseling sessions will explore short, engaging, and fun homework assignments that will help you learn more about each other and strategies for a successful marriage. One that will last a lifetime.

CLERGY CARE

Pastors and ministry leaders have unique challenges, pressures, and stressors that can often feel insurmountable. They can feel alone on a journey full of obstacles that can lead to burnout or leaving the ministry. Clergy care sessions exist to shepherd the shepherds and provide restoration.

COUNSELING

Professional pastoral counseling for every season of life. Pastoral counseling adds the spiritual dimension to care that many counselors and therapists omit. Individuals or couples are welcome. Topics can include anger management, forgiveness, grief, marriage, military issues, stress, and more.

MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT

Just as cars need an occasional tune up, marriages also require maintenance for the journey. Join others couples in a PREP workshop that teaches an evidence-based program on how to maintain a strong, healthy, and stable marriage. PREP includes a range of topics, but they are always fun.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION

Christian spiritual direction is the practice of guiding people as they deepen their personal relationship with God. It is the art of being a spiritual companion. Direction is not telling people what to believe or how to act but working with the Spirit to discover and engage God. 

SPEAKING & CONFERENCES

While it can be dangerous to give a pastor the microphone, it can also be a rewarding experience that enables people to engage God more fully. If you need a speaker or a presentation for your next event, call or email to check availability. Topics, formats, and venues can be tailored to your group.