First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn
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Greetings, First Presbyterian Church!
I’m delighted to begin ministry with you in Dearborn and beyond. I am originally from Daytona Beach, Florida, where one of my older brothers (I have three) held me in front of him to break through spider webs as he walked through the scrub to the beach, just across A1A from our house. Thankfully, I don’t really remember that! I grew up moving back and forth between Florida and North Carolina as my father progressed in his career in the grocery store chain, Winn-Dixie. After college in Georgia, I attended Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where I met my wife, Michelle. Michelle is pastor of Faith Community Presbyterian Church in Novi. We have lived for the last eleven years in Grosse Ile, occasionally driving to Dearborn for robotics and volleyball tournaments, Ford’s Garage and Shatila bakery. Michelle and I have been married for twenty-eight years and have three adult (or semi-adult!) daughters. Emma is twenty-three, a graduate of the University of Michigan, and currently lives in Chicago as she considers graduate work. Anna, twenty-one, is in Grand Rapids working in hospitality while she writes and works on her art. Charissa (pronounced “ka-rissa”) is nineteen and studies biology at Michigan State. We also have two cats, two dogs, and a chinchilla, and we wonder every day how we got ourselves into this!
I have been a Presbyterian pastor for twenty years (four of them teaching at Union Presbyterian Seminary, where I received my PhD in theology and ethics), serving churches in Ohio, Virginia, and Michigan. I love preaching, teaching, community ministry, reformed theology, and delving deeper into Christian spirituality. Currently, I’m in a training program for spiritual directors at Columbia Theological Seminary and I believe myself to be called to teach and lead people toward a deeper relationship with Christ through prayer and other Christian practices. I enjoy reading, writing, taking walks, and watching probably too much TV.
I am excited to get to know you and I look forward to walking with you during the coming years as we seek to build up Christ’s body in Dearborn!
Meaningful Experiences of Worship
Provide opportunities for people to connect in a worshipful way with God and with God’s people. We recognize that corporate worship with music, liturgy, and proclamation is important. We also recognize that worship is broader than Sunday mornings. Therefore, as a Church our focus is worship with two or more of the community of God’s people partnering to connect with their creator in spirit and truth.
Partner with God in His Plan
Discover where God is already at work around us. We are responsible to follow God’s call there. Engaging community leaders and participating in the community will be key to the discovery, as Paul did in Acts. We believe if we are obedient to God and faithfully follow His call beyond our walls, God will bless our community inside our walls as He sees fit. As the Church of Jesus, we have a priority on relationships over programs, and His Kingdom over our Institution.
Connect a New Generation to Jesus
introduce those in the community who do not know Jesus to his promises of hope and restoration. We understand that younger generations do not have the same priorities, perspective, or assumptions of the “Churched” generations. We believe that Jesus has always been and will always be relevant to human life and community regardless of cultural trends. We desire to learn to communicate the difference Jesus makes in our lives and community to those outside the Church. Spiritual renewal and transformational encounters with Jesus are urgent in our own lives to fill us with the creative thinking, intentionality, authenticity, selflessness, and grace to build connections. We become the fragrance of Christ.
What We Believe
Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and the necessity of grace through faith in Christ. We are a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). For more information on our denomination, visit the PC USA Website.
Our History
First Presbyterian of Dearborn 2023 Annual Report
Support Our Ministry
If you feel called to support the ministries of the First Presbyterian Church of Dearborn, you can make a secure online contribution. Donate Online