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Credentials
Philosophy of Ministry
Theological Principles
Five Solas
Sola Scriptura – The Bible is the sole infallible rule of faith and practice. All ministry must be rooted in and governed by Scripture. This means careful exposition of the Word, both in preaching and teaching, is paramount. Creeds and Confessions are subordinate standards that aid in understanding Scripture.
Sola Gratia – All sinners are justified on the basis of God’s grace and not based on any amount of work, merit, or deed whether perceived or actualized. By its nature, grace is an unearned and undeserved gift, therefore, human beings are entirely dependent on God’s gracious action for their salvation.
Sola Fide – Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This means faith is the sole instrument through which God’s grace is received and faith is the only requirement for salvation.
Solus Christus – Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and humanity. Salvation is found exclusively through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, in taking on our sin and absorbing the wrath of God, and approved by God by Christ’s resurrection.
Soli Deo Gloria – Scripture’s clear and resounding message is that man’s justification is accomplished through God’s gracious will, in faithful submission to Christ, and ultimately to highlight and worship the glory of God the Father. The Christian life is one lived in glorifying and honoring the God of our salvation.
The Doctrines of Grace
Total Depravity: Man’s complete inability to save himself.
Unconditional Election: God’s gracious choice of those He will save.
Limited Atonement: Christ’s sacrifice effectively atones for those whom it was intended.
Irresistible Grace: The Holy Spirit’s effectual call to salvation.
Perseverance of the Saints: God’s preservation of His people to eternal life.
Reformed Theology
The Sovereignty of God: God is sovereign over all things, including salvation, the church, and human history. Man is utterly dependent on God and should prayerfully rely on His work. Christians are workmen in God’s kingdom and He is the one who brings the increase.
The Covenant of Grace: God relates to His people through covenant. This framework informs our understanding of the church, sacraments, and discipleship. It also informs our understanding of how we are to conduct ourselves in the world, in the church, and in the home.
The Lordship of Christ: Christ is the head of the church. All aspects of ministry must be submitted to His authority. This includes church government, discipline, and the pursuit of holiness. Christ is also King of kings. All aspects of social and political life must also be in submission to His authority. This means Christians in the public sphere should endeavor to bring all authorities under His authority.
The Regulative Principle of Worship: Worship must be conducted only in accordance to what God has commanded in Scripture. Worship should be and reverent, drawing the worshippers’ attention to God in Word, Sacrament, and Service.
Sola Scriptura – The Bible is the sole infallible rule of faith and practice. All ministry must be rooted in and governed by Scripture. This means careful exposition of the Word, both in preaching and teaching, is paramount. Creeds and Confessions are subordinate standards that aid in understanding Scripture.
Sola Gratia – All sinners are justified on the basis of God’s grace and not based on any amount of work, merit, or deed whether perceived or actualized. By its nature, grace is an unearned and undeserved gift, therefore, human beings are entirely dependent on God’s gracious action for their salvation.
Sola Fide – Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone. This means faith is the sole instrument through which God’s grace is received and faith is the only requirement for salvation.
Solus Christus – Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and humanity. Salvation is found exclusively through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, in taking on our sin and absorbing the wrath of God, and approved by God by Christ’s resurrection.
Soli Deo Gloria – Scripture’s clear and resounding message is that man’s justification is accomplished through God’s gracious will, in faithful submission to Christ, and ultimately to highlight and worship the glory of God the Father. The Christian life is one lived in glorifying and honoring the God of our salvation.
The Doctrines of Grace
Total Depravity: Man’s complete inability to save himself.
Unconditional Election: God’s gracious choice of those He will save.
Limited Atonement: Christ’s sacrifice effectively atones for those whom it was intended.
Irresistible Grace: The Holy Spirit’s effectual call to salvation.
Perseverance of the Saints: God’s preservation of His people to eternal life.
Reformed Theology
The Sovereignty of God: God is sovereign over all things, including salvation, the church, and human history. Man is utterly dependent on God and should prayerfully rely on His work. Christians are workmen in God’s kingdom and He is the one who brings the increase.
The Covenant of Grace: God relates to His people through covenant. This framework informs our understanding of the church, sacraments, and discipleship. It also informs our understanding of how we are to conduct ourselves in the world, in the church, and in the home.
The Lordship of Christ: Christ is the head of the church. All aspects of ministry must be submitted to His authority. This includes church government, discipline, and the pursuit of holiness. Christ is also King of kings. All aspects of social and political life must also be in submission to His authority. This means Christians in the public sphere should endeavor to bring all authorities under His authority.
The Regulative Principle of Worship: Worship must be conducted only in accordance to what God has commanded in Scripture. Worship should be and reverent, drawing the worshippers’ attention to God in Word, Sacrament, and Service.
Practical Principles
Expository Preaching and Teaching. Faithful and accurate exposition of Scripture is central to the ministry of the Word. Preaching should aim to apply biblical truth to the lives of the hearers.
Sacramental Ministry. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are divinely ordained means of grace. They should be administered according to biblical guidelines and with reverence.
Discipleship and Spiritual Formation. Ministry should focus on nurturing believers in their faith and equipping them for service. This includes teaching, mentoring, and encouraging spiritual disciplines.
Church Discipline. Biblical discipline is essential for maintaining the purity and health of the church. It should be administered with love and a desire for restoration.
Evangelism and Missions. The church is called to proclaim the gospel to all nations. Evangelism should be grounded in the Reformed understanding of salvation.
Covenantal Family Ministry. The family is a vital context for discipleship. The church should support and equip families in their role of raising children in the faith.
Church Government. The church is governed by elders, who are elected by the congregation and who meet the qualifications established in Scripture. This system of government emphasizes accountability and shared leadership.
Emphasis on prayer. All aspects of ministry should be bathed in prayer, recognizing our dependence on God.
Works of Mercy. Showing compassion and providing for the needs of the poor and suffering is a tangible expression of Christian love, but also one commanded by Christ Himself.
Sacramental Ministry. The sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper are divinely ordained means of grace. They should be administered according to biblical guidelines and with reverence.
Discipleship and Spiritual Formation. Ministry should focus on nurturing believers in their faith and equipping them for service. This includes teaching, mentoring, and encouraging spiritual disciplines.
Church Discipline. Biblical discipline is essential for maintaining the purity and health of the church. It should be administered with love and a desire for restoration.
Evangelism and Missions. The church is called to proclaim the gospel to all nations. Evangelism should be grounded in the Reformed understanding of salvation.
Covenantal Family Ministry. The family is a vital context for discipleship. The church should support and equip families in their role of raising children in the faith.
Church Government. The church is governed by elders, who are elected by the congregation and who meet the qualifications established in Scripture. This system of government emphasizes accountability and shared leadership.
Emphasis on prayer. All aspects of ministry should be bathed in prayer, recognizing our dependence on God.
Works of Mercy. Showing compassion and providing for the needs of the poor and suffering is a tangible expression of Christian love, but also one commanded by Christ Himself.
Experience
|
January 2023 -
Present |
Bible Teacher
Faith Christian Academy, Hurt, VA |
- Teach biblical interpretation to middle school students.
- Teach spiritual disciplines to junior high school students.
- Teach doctrine and apologetics to high school students.
- Teach other subjects as needed, such as world history and Spanish.
- Advocate on behalf of Christian education in the community.
|
March 2017 -
June 2024 |
Minister of Word and Sacrament
Altavista Presbyterian Church, Altavista, VA |
- Oversaw the ministries of a 100 member congregation.
- Preached and taught at least three times a week.
- Administered the sacraments decently and in order.
- Directed the discipleship and discipline of the church.
- Guided the revitalization of the over-all ministries.
- Prayed for, visited, and comforted members and visitors.
|
January 2016 -
January 2017 |
Temporary Supply Pastor
Morven and Campden Presbyterian Churches, Anson County, NC |
- Moderated the sessions of two rural churches.
- Preached and administered the sacraments.
- Prayed for, visited, and comforted members.
- Shepherded the closure of Campden Presbyterian Church.
|
July 2014 -
August 2015 |
Pastoral Intern
First Presbyterian Church, Middletown, OH |
- Served under the direction and leadership of an Interim Pastor in a congregation of 500 members.
- Preached bi-monthly, with as needed supply in the Miami Valley Presbytery.
- Provided regular pastoral care for residents of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Retirement Community.
- Taught adult religious education semi-regularly; facilitated youth group weekly.
- Encouraged and engaged in local missions and outreach.
Education
Conferences
- 2024 Ligonier National Conference: The Way, The Truth, and The Life
- 2024 BRITE Seminar: Kingdom Living in a Hostile Age; Biblical Social Ethics
- 2023 Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals: The Political Christian
- 2022 Ligonier National Conference: Upholding Christian Ethics
- 2022 BRITE Seminar: The Grand Sweep of Scripture; Intro to Biblical Theology
- 2021 Theology Matters Conference: From Generation to Generation
- 2020 Institute for Expository Preaching: Preaching with Precision and Power
- 2020 BRITE Seminar: No Other Gospel; the Life and Theology of Paul
- 2019 Center for Pastor Theologian: Techne Conference
- 2019 Institute for Expository Preaching: Preaching the Holiness of God
- 2019 BRITE Seminar: Defending the Faith; Proclaiming our Hope
- 2018 International Congress on Calvin Research: Politics and Freedom
|
August 2011 -
May 2014 |
Princeton Theological Seminary
Master of Divinity |
- Presbyterians for Renewal
- Oratorical Society
- International Students and Friends Network
|
August 2007 -
May 2011 |
Hampden-Sydney College
Bachelor of Arts in Religion |
- Union-Philanthropic Literary Society
- Cogito Christian Studies Center
- Honor Court
- William Carrington Finch Award 2010 recipient
Statement of Faith
I believe all Scripture is the self-attesting Word of God to mankind, worked out through human hands to accurately convey His eternal Truth. Being Truth, the infallible Word—the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments—requires unreserved submission in all areas of life as the only sufficient and authoritative source for salvation, faith, morality and godliness. The complete and unified witness of God’s covenant of redemption, culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, is easily and clearly understood from the plain reading of Scripture. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks.
I believe in one God, the sovereign Creator, Sustainer of all things, and Redeemer of the Church, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit is eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. God is a self-existent spirit, sovereign and holy; omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent; immutable, wise, loving, gracious, and wrathful. His very nature commands glory and the Church willingly offers it, while the world will ultimately be judged by it.
I believe in Jesus Christ, the living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins, replacing the filthy rags of God’s elect with His own righteous robes. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He sits in intercession as our High Priest and Mediator. As King of kings and Lord of lords, all spheres of authority owe allegiance to Him: Fathers over families, Overseers over churches, and Magistrates over governments.
I believe the Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to men’s hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior, indwelling our hearts. He gives dead men new life, empowering and imparting gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption. Through His inspiration, Godly men wrote Holy Scripture uniting three languages, spanning nearly two millennia, across dozens of countries, into one story, His story.
I believe God created the universe—everything visible and invisible—out of nothing and in six days. Before God created anything, nothing else existed except God Himself. God alone is eternal; every created thing has a beginning. Therefore, the eternal God rules over all of His creation and He alone is worthy of worship. That good creation fell into corruption when Adam, as federal head of the human race and given authorized domain over the earth, sinned against God, his Creator and King. Though Adam—and all men—are created in the image of God, because of the fall, that image has been distorted.
I believe that since men are estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God’s free grace. God credits His righteousness to men who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justifies them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life. True, saving faith is no mere intellectual exercise, as in simply believing something is true or not; rather, true, saving faith is complete and total trust in the finished work of Christ.
I believe that Christ dwells in our hearts through faith and that we are simultaneously dwelling in Him. This union is indissoluble; it will last for all eternity. Those who have been given true, saving faith can never lose it because justification is not the result of man’s effort or good works but a gift of God’s free will. Although good works do not lead to justification, justification does lead to good works in the life of a believer. These good works do verify a genuine faith and make our justification evident to ourselves and others. This is only possible because the Holy Spirit turns man’s will, which is naturally inclined to sin, and aligns it with His own will, which is a direct outpouring of God the Father. In this state of being a justified sinner, redeemed men mortify sin by the quickening power of the Spirit.
I believe the true Church is composed of all men who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible yet imperfect expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its pure and entire counsel, the sacraments are administered in their integrity, where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting she awaits the return of her Lord.
I believe the Spirit empowers the many members of the Church with a variety of gifts. These gifts are rightly used by the saints to the glory of God and for the propagation of the Gospel. Through the Spirit, God calls qualified men to oversee the visible church as under-shepherds of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. These qualified elders should lead and live in manners according to godliness; their respective flocks should obey and submit to them in all ecclesial matters.
I believe the Church is ordained to administer two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These sacraments are not for the work of salvation but sealing and proclaiming the once, eternal union to Christ and fellowship in the Church universal. All other acts of the Church may promote godliness and brotherly love but have not been ordained to communicate the mystical union the Church has with Christ through the Holy Spirit.
I believe that marriage is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the framework for intimate companionship, the only acceptable channel of sexual expression, and the means for procreation of mankind. For this reason, marriage is only defined as the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in His image and both equally require regeneration. The marriage relationship, however, models the way Christ relates to His church in the husband’s sacrificial love for his own wife and the wife’s gracious submission to her own husband.
I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. This love and service is not equally or universally applied. Of primacy is a love for God, secondarily is a love for brethren in Christ, and thirdly is a love for others in the world.
I believe that all Christians should oppose racism, greed, selfishness, vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including, but not limited to, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. All Christians should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. All Christians should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. All Christians should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love.
I believe that Jesus Christ will come again to the earth personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, to consummate history, to fulfill the eternal plan of God, and to ultimately subdue Satan, his demons, and his followers. That day is completely unknown and unknowable to man until such time as the heavens open in resplendent triumph. Before that great Day of the Lord, the Church will experience unrest, apostasy, and persecution. Upon that great Day, the reprobate will be condemned to eternal judgment and the regenerate in Christ will be welcomed to eternal glory.
I believe in one God, the sovereign Creator, Sustainer of all things, and Redeemer of the Church, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Father is neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit is eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. God is a self-existent spirit, sovereign and holy; omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, omnibenevolent; immutable, wise, loving, gracious, and wrathful. His very nature commands glory and the Church willingly offers it, while the world will ultimately be judged by it.
I believe in Jesus Christ, the living Word, who became flesh through His miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and His virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross a sacrifice for our sins, replacing the filthy rags of God’s elect with His own righteous robes. On the third day He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He sits in intercession as our High Priest and Mediator. As King of kings and Lord of lords, all spheres of authority owe allegiance to Him: Fathers over families, Overseers over churches, and Magistrates over governments.
I believe the Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to men’s hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior, indwelling our hearts. He gives dead men new life, empowering and imparting gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption. Through His inspiration, Godly men wrote Holy Scripture uniting three languages, spanning nearly two millennia, across dozens of countries, into one story, His story.
I believe God created the universe—everything visible and invisible—out of nothing and in six days. Before God created anything, nothing else existed except God Himself. God alone is eternal; every created thing has a beginning. Therefore, the eternal God rules over all of His creation and He alone is worthy of worship. That good creation fell into corruption when Adam, as federal head of the human race and given authorized domain over the earth, sinned against God, his Creator and King. Though Adam—and all men—are created in the image of God, because of the fall, that image has been distorted.
I believe that since men are estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God’s free grace. God credits His righteousness to men who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, and thereby justifies them in His sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life. True, saving faith is no mere intellectual exercise, as in simply believing something is true or not; rather, true, saving faith is complete and total trust in the finished work of Christ.
I believe that Christ dwells in our hearts through faith and that we are simultaneously dwelling in Him. This union is indissoluble; it will last for all eternity. Those who have been given true, saving faith can never lose it because justification is not the result of man’s effort or good works but a gift of God’s free will. Although good works do not lead to justification, justification does lead to good works in the life of a believer. These good works do verify a genuine faith and make our justification evident to ourselves and others. This is only possible because the Holy Spirit turns man’s will, which is naturally inclined to sin, and aligns it with His own will, which is a direct outpouring of God the Father. In this state of being a justified sinner, redeemed men mortify sin by the quickening power of the Spirit.
I believe the true Church is composed of all men who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible yet imperfect expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its pure and entire counsel, the sacraments are administered in their integrity, where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting she awaits the return of her Lord.
I believe the Spirit empowers the many members of the Church with a variety of gifts. These gifts are rightly used by the saints to the glory of God and for the propagation of the Gospel. Through the Spirit, God calls qualified men to oversee the visible church as under-shepherds of the Head of the Church, Jesus Christ. These qualified elders should lead and live in manners according to godliness; their respective flocks should obey and submit to them in all ecclesial matters.
I believe the Church is ordained to administer two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These sacraments are not for the work of salvation but sealing and proclaiming the once, eternal union to Christ and fellowship in the Church universal. All other acts of the Church may promote godliness and brotherly love but have not been ordained to communicate the mystical union the Church has with Christ through the Holy Spirit.
I believe that marriage is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the framework for intimate companionship, the only acceptable channel of sexual expression, and the means for procreation of mankind. For this reason, marriage is only defined as the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. The husband and wife are of equal worth before God, since both are created in His image and both equally require regeneration. The marriage relationship, however, models the way Christ relates to His church in the husband’s sacrificial love for his own wife and the wife’s gracious submission to her own husband.
I believe that the Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. This love and service is not equally or universally applied. Of primacy is a love for God, secondarily is a love for brethren in Christ, and thirdly is a love for others in the world.
I believe that all Christians should oppose racism, greed, selfishness, vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including, but not limited to, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. All Christians should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. All Christians should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. All Christians should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love.
I believe that Jesus Christ will come again to the earth personally, visibly, and bodily—to judge the living and the dead, to consummate history, to fulfill the eternal plan of God, and to ultimately subdue Satan, his demons, and his followers. That day is completely unknown and unknowable to man until such time as the heavens open in resplendent triumph. Before that great Day of the Lord, the Church will experience unrest, apostasy, and persecution. Upon that great Day, the reprobate will be condemned to eternal judgment and the regenerate in Christ will be welcomed to eternal glory.