Joined Gateway Staff: Served in children's ministry since 2007 and moved to full-time staff in 2009.

Family: Wife Karen (who is also on staff with Amazing Kids); Karen and I were classmates at Chestnut Ridge High School in Pennsylvania. We married in 1968 and have three married daughters: Jennifer Neese, Stefanie Santiago and Heather Halcom. We have ten awesome grandchildren.

Saved: 1975 at Alum Bank UMC at the age of 26. I was amazed at how much God loved me. And now, I am even more amazed.

Education: B.S. in Education from the University of Pittsburgh; M. Div. from Asbury Theological Seminary

Previous Lines of Work: I taught at Chestnut Ridge HS where I coached wrestling and baseball. I pastored churches in Western Pennsylvania for 25 years.

One of the Things I Find Most Fascinating: Discovering the background and life stories of people.

FAVORITE
Book: MY Bible
Food: TLC’s Center-cut Sirloin
Snack Food: Ice Cream
Movie: Remember the Titans
TV Show: NCIS
Musical Artist: Gateway Worship
Time of Day: Early Morning
Season: Fall
Place in the World: Home
Place to Pray: Dining/living rooms (early in the morning when it is still dark and quiet)
Recreational Activities/Hobbies: Reading, walking and playing with grandkids
Scripture: Isaiah 40:31
Sports Team: Pittsburgh Steelers (Sixburgh!)
Sport: Football

LEAST FAVORITE
Food: Sushi
Snack Food: Cheese Puffs
Time of Day: Late evening
Season: Summer in Texas
Sports Team: Baltimore Ravens

Best Thing Someone Said to You: Walk through the doors God opens for you.

Life Motto: Walk through life with humility

Two People I’d Like to Meet: Jack Hayford, Troy Palamolu

One of My Greatest Experiences with God: Soaking in the love of God while sitting by a quiet lake in Canada.

Most People Don’t Know This About Me: I once worked in the coal fields of western Pennsylvania.