Occupation: I have been the youth minister at Newtown Christian Church since September of 1998. I also do landscaping for G & M Landscaping in Danbury. I have a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry from Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, Ill. I have no plans to go to seminary right away. That’s someday down the road. I don’t want to be a preaching minister; I feel youth ministry is where I’m meant to be.

How Long in Newtown: I live in Seymour right now but will be moving back to Newtown in November. I resided here last winter. I was raised in Brownsburg, Ind.

Family: I am single. My parents still live in Indiana, and I have a sister, Maria, 20, who is in college.

Hobbies: I enjoy a wide range of sports, such as golf, basketball, and volleyball. I’m also into computers.

Favorite Books and Authors: I love to read. My favorite author is Max Lucado, who writes devotional and biblical books. I also like to read C.S. Lewis.

Favorite TV Show: I usually watch sports.

Organizations: I have participated in meetings with the Newtown Clergy Association. In May, I participated in the covenant at Newtown High School. Several youth leaders met with the students and administration to establish a peace covenant with the students for respect and peace within the student body. It was neat to be involved in that.

Favorite Vacation Spot: Martha’s Vineyard. I spent the summer of 1998 working in a Christian camp there. It was real easy to fall in love with that place. I went back at Thanksgiving to see friends and again in May on vacation. While I was there, I helped out with getting the camp ready for the season.

Personal Philosophy: I’m here on this earth to live my life for Jesus Christ. I only have one life to live, and I want to make the most of it and do the most for Jesus. This governs the direction I go and things I do, and my commitment  to living my life for Jesus.