I was born in New Jersey and grew up living in different parts of the United States (Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Upstate New York) while my father pastored at various United Methodist churches. I graduated high school and attended Boston University, where I received my bachelor’s degree (cum laude) in psychology. After receiving a call into ministry, I entered Yale Divinity School and graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree in 1998.
Because of my positive experiences growing up in the Methodist church, as well as agreeing with Wesley’s balanced theology of both personal and social holiness, I began the process of seeking ordination in the United Methodist Church and was ordained an Elder in full connection in 2003. Since then, I have served in a variety of pastoral appointments in Virginia, Connecticut, Upstate New York, and the metropolitan New York City area.
In 2010, I was invited to speak at a pastor’s conference for young Methodist clergy from Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan). Seeing how these pastors faithfully served God while encountering persecution inspired me in such a way that I longed to work alongside these Christian leaders in strengthening the church in this region of the world. In 2011, I was assigned as the director of the United Methodist Mission Center of Central Asia and spent the next eight years working to plant and develop churches along with local leadership.
Returning stateside in 2019, I went back into local church ministry, serving at a multi-ethnic church in Jackson Heights, Queens for the next five years. As of July of 2024, I have been serving as pastor at Grace Valley Stream. I bring a passion for preaching and enjoy providing pastoral care while fostering a community that is warm and embracing. I am happily married to my wife Prumeh, who is also a pastor (commissioned Deacon in the UMC), and we have two children Ye-ari (19) and Eli (13). When I am not serving the church, you may find me cooking, scouring the region for the most delicious restaurants to eat at, or following my favorite sports teams.
