Occupation: I’m a lay pastor at The Newtown Bible Church.

Family: I’ve been married to my bride, Cindy, for 16 years. We have seven children, bookended by our girls, Adrianne and Dayna. In between are Will, Pierce, Chandler, Quintin, and Connor.

Pets: We have Sampson, the mighty Chihuahua. He is about 7 years old.

How long have you been in Newtown? We moved to Brookfield January 2 of this year, from New Hampshire. I grew up in Maine. Joey [Newton, pastor at The Newtown Bible Church] and I met in seminary and became friends. I never dreamed the Lord would partner us up in ministry.

What do you like to do in your free time? I haven’t had hobbies in years. Every spare moment I’ve had in recent years has been spent on my doctoral dissertation. I like to spend time with my kids and wife, and I run a paint and remodeling business, called Painting for the Master.

What have you read recently? Apart from reading the stuff I’m getting ready to teach, I read journal articles and commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew.

Do you have a favorite travel destination? We’re heading off this summer for Maine to a family cabin on the lake. The kids can swim, and I’ll be working. I’ll take the boys fishing, too.

What is the best thing about Newtown? This church. It’s what brought us here.

Do you have a hero? The apostle Paul. Any of the writers of scripture that I end up studying I fall in love with their love for God and their revelation of Him. John MacArthur has been my hero for years. He has celebrated over 40 years of ministry at the Grace Community Church in California, where I went to seminary. He’s demonstrated great faithfulness, teaching through the New Testament, one verse at a time.

Do you have a personal philosophy? The Bible dictates everything I try to do in life and practice. If I live by what God tells me to do, it brings me honor.

What makes you happiest? Jesus Christ. As a sinner I was desperately in need of being redeemed. He stooped down and saved me.