Pastor for Outreach
Education: Central Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.); Pillsbury Baptist Bible College (B.S. Bible)
Ministry Experience: Served as youth pastor in Minnesota (5 years); English teacher and missionary/pastor in Japan (9 years); senior pastor in St. Johns, Michigan (5 years); Chief Operations Officer at Student Statesmanship Institute (3 years); Pastor for Outreach at South Church since 2018.
Spouse: Naomi
Family: Daughter, Lily, and son-in-law, Alex Telloyan; Son, Isaac, and daughter-in-law, Brooke Van Loh; my wife’s parents live with us and she cares for them.
Hobbies: College football and basketball fan, reading, Bible memory, playing backgammon with Naomi.
Honors: Ordained in 2009; Dale Carnegie Highest Award for Achievement 2014
Community Activities: Lansing City Rescue Mission volunteer; Opportunity Group member, quarterly speaker at Mount Zion All Nations Bible Church
Testimony: When the church doors were open, I was there; perched in the front row next to my brother. But after elementary school, I slipped into rebellion against both my parents and the church. What could cure a cold heart like mine? The words of scripture—specifically 2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
The Bible continues to guide me and inform my choices as I move forward in my relationship with God. My passion is to use my education, gifts, and life experiences at home and abroad be to an ambassador for Jesus Christ and inspire others to do the same.