I had the great privilege of growing up in a Christian family. My mom and dad were both active in reaching people for Christ and in teaching people how to live Jesus’ way—I remember with joy them inviting six or eight people in to dinner and then inviting them to come back the next week for a Bible study. My grandfather, Earl Severts, whose name I delight to bear in the middle of my name, was a remarkable Christian leader who knew and prayed for missionaries around the world, was treasurer for Billy Graham’s crusade in Los Angeles in the 1940s, knelt on the floor of jail cells to lead broken men to Christ, and helped congregations to be healthy enough to move forward in mission. My grandmother, Elsie, led me to my first profession of faith in Jesus as a child.

Best of all, however, is God’s gift to me of Carolyn. Sometimes people ask what God has ever really done for you. My first answer is always: the Lord gave me Carolyn, a woman whose heart I won because I loved the Lord, and who would put Christ’s mission ahead of everything else when the Spirit asked her to. I love her more than I can say, and what I like most to do in my free time is to be with Carolyn . . . and with our children and grandchildren. Both of our sons are members of this church: Dean, and his two children Aidan (6) and Alivia (4); and Lance and our dear Paige and their children Nathan (16), Courtney (6) and Cody (3). I also love music, reading (history and biography are big nowadays), and playing my guitar. I’m pretty good with Legos, too.

In 1998, God called us away from our ministry at University Place Presbyterian Church (where we had served for 17 years), and away from our families, to join in what the Spirit was doing in Pittsburgh Presbytery. It was tough—but also a tremendous privilege because God is up to remarkable things in Pittsburgh. My ministry was to help 156 congregations reach 143 communities with the whole of the gospel: making disciples, reaching the unchurched for Christ, extending compassion, and doing justice. This year, 2007, God called us away from that mission and back to our families and the mission of Chapel Hill: to present everyone mature in Christ. We are still lost in wonder and praise at God’s kindness to us. Being at Chapel Hill, being in ministry with my dear friend Mark—and joining Jeremy and the rest of the highly gifted and Christ-centered leaders of CHPC—and coming home to our family is more than Carolyn and I would have dreamed possible.

I have a BA in psychology from Cal State Los Angeles, a Master of Divinity from Princeton, and my Doctor of Ministry (Reformed Theology Focus) from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (on whose board I serve).

My ministry here is to consult with Pastors Mark and Jeremy and the leadership team as we seek to move our mission forward (a calling central in my gifting), to teach (something I dearly love), and to work with the Finance and Facilities Departments, the Deacons, Positive Christian Singles and Cornerstones Seniors ministries.

 I’ll preach two or three times a year, but assist in worship every week. I continue to have ministry responsibilities around the country and am very grateful to Pastor Mark and the rest of the staff for the privilege of being faithful to these.