As a child, I was at Sunday School at Christ Lutheran Church every Sunday. I loved going and was confirmed at that church by junior high. However, by then I had started to question my sexuality. I was told the bible didn’t accept same-sex relationships and I was struggling to understand what I was experiencing. I was angry with God and the church. Ultimately, we parted ways.
It wasn’t until 2009 that I felt the desire to return to church.
I was drawn to Our Saviour Episcopal/Lutheran Church on the White Mountain Apache Reservation in Arizona. My wife Shelley had gotten a teaching job at a school on the Reservation and together, along with some of my church team of volunteers, we spent weekends going to garage sales around the towns up on the mountain, buying beds, tables, chairs etc. and distributing them on the Reservation.
After 3 years serving as Treasurer and Senior Warden, I realized that God was still calling me closer to Him. I was ready to go. I was accepted into the Diaconate Program, and was ordained as a Deacon two years later. I was ready to serve God wherever He called me. In the end, I was called to Los Osos, after I discovered St. Benedict’s and the Abundance Shop! I couldn’t be happier to be here!!!