Paul is a disciple of Jesus Christ for many reasons. He has always been spiritually inclined and curious and was raised in a loving family where Christian faith and practice shaped routines and formed character. Through three years of mission work and three years of seminary, God’s Spirit lovingly helped Paul deconstruct and reconstruct his faith and he re-fell in love with our gracious, generous and radically welcoming Jesus Christ.

He is tremendously thankful that, throughout his life-long faith journey, even through doubt, depression and detours, he has never felt abandoned by God’s immense and encompassing love for him. In Paul’s own words, “Jesus’s love claims me and gives my life hope, sustaining strength and purpose. In response, I try to know, love, serve, and follow Christ each day.”

Paul’s understanding of the Church is that it is a diverse community composed of imperfect people, filled with the Spirit, through whom God continues Christ’s work of reconciliation and healing in the world. As a part of this community, we are all invited to embrace our priestly calling and grow in knowledge, faith, and skill so that each of us can be actively engaged in the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. As a pastor, Paul understands he is not the shepherd, Christ is.

Here are a few personal insights into Paul:

• Paul and Stacey have been married for 31 years. Stacey is the love of his life and a former Assistant U.S. Attorney. They love to travel, read, go on runs and spend time laughing with their three (brilliant) children and their greatest accomplishments: Emily, Nathan and Claire.

• His interests include a good book and a good cup of coffee, running and exercise, exploring the history and beauty of cities, stimulating conversation, getting lost in a splendid movie and watching college sports with Stacey.

• His current devotional practice is a daily scripture followed by loving-kindness meditation and prayer - and trying to go on three 5k runs a week.