I’ve worked with refugees and immigrants in Oakland for nearly 20 years.  I was one of the first to join New Hope and am currently its lead pastor.  Besides pastoring the church, I am also involved in community organizing, community gardening and programs for families and youth in the neighborhood.  I am married to Jan and have a creative, energetic six year old son named Peter.

Hello! After growing up in San Diego, I went to college at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Two months after graduating, I moved across the country to Baltimore, Maryland to work with families in an urban, African American church, and in affordable housing research. I've now moved to Oakland to join the staff at New Hope and to start a Masters of Divinity seminary program at Fuller Northern California. I'm thankful for this opportunity to work with children at New Hope and our neighborhood--they are such gifts and teachers of God's grace and joy.