I was born in the Binghamton, NY area, specifically in Johnson City. Growing up, I am the youngest of six children, with four sisters and one brother. My parents were founding members of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Endwell, New York, which instilled in me a deep connection to faith and community from an early age.
At Northminster Presbyterian Church in Endwell, my commitment to ministry began early. I started teaching Sunday school at 15, and by 17, I had been ordained as a Deacon. As a Deacon, I engaged in a ministry of presence, visiting shut-ins and hospitalized people, distributing food baskets, and offering support to those in need. My five years of teaching Sunday school during my teenage years provided valuable experience working with 4th to 12th-grade students.
I attended Broome Community College, earning my Associate's Degree from 1990 to 1992.
I served as a camp counselor with the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley over two summers. This experience was deeply formative and involved leading, teaching, and inspiring youth during week-long camp sessions. Witnessing their growth and sharing in their spiritual journeys was gratifying. This service became a foundational experience that shaped my approach to ministry and provided a bedrock for many aspects of my life.
As a Youth Advisory Delegate, I participated in two Synod of the Northeast sessions. This experience was invaluable and fostered a deep appreciation for the intricacies of church government. In the early 1990s, I also had the honor of serving as a Youth Advisory Delegate to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). These roles offered me a unique perspective on the denomination's broader workings and instilled a commitment to its governance.
From 1992 to 1995, I pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religious Studies at Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York. During my time there, I became deeply committed to fostering inter-racial understanding. I organized a group dedicated to facilitating dialogue among diverse ethnic groups on campus, striving to create a space where all voices could be heard. I remember one memorable meeting where 40 people of color gathered in a common room of a dorm, and someone outside the group pulled the fire alarm to disrupt it.
I recognized the need for a Protestant presence within the predominantly Catholic institution and established a Reformed Christian Bible study group. This initiative eventually morphed into a partnership with the nuns who ran the campus youth activities. Additionally, I served as a Resident Assistant, responsible for the well-being of 20 male residents, and contributed to campus life as a DJ on the university radio station.
In 1995, I embarked on a six-month period of service and exploration in western Hungary. During this time, I experienced ecumenical engagement firsthand, serving as an altar boy in a Catholic church at 22. I also actively participated in the life of Reformed churches, particularly in the town of Pápa. These experiences were deeply enriching, leading to insightful conversations about the nature of the church in the United States. I vividly recall discussions about the purpose and impact of coffee hour on building community within a congregation.
From 1996 to 2000, I immersed myself in theological studies at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. These years were pivotal in my journey, providing me with the foundational knowledge and spiritual formation necessary for ordained ministry.
During my first year of seminary, I was called to serve inner-city youth in Louisville, Kentucky, through the Presbyterian Community Center. This community center was located in the heart of the housing projects. My role was multifaceted: I strived to be a positive role model, assisted in leading various activities, and developed Christian-centered programs. This period coincided with a peak in gang violence between the Bloods and Crips, and Louisville unfortunately ranked among the most violent cities in the nation. One particularly harrowing experience remains etched in my memory. I encountered a seven-year-old boy, his face streaked with tears, sitting alone on a bench. When I asked him what was wrong, he recounted a terrifying incident: after accidentally hitting someone with a rock on the playground, that person had gone home, retrieved a gun, and threatened to kill him. That moment underscored the urgent need for compassion and intervention in a community grappling with such profound challenges.
While attending Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, I met and married the Reverend Viktoria Berlik, and we welcomed our first child.
From 1999 to 2000, I served as a Student Minister Intern at First Presbyterian Church in Bardstown, Kentucky. During that year, I actively engaged in the life of the congregation. I regularly helped lead worship on Sunday mornings, fostering a spirit of reverence and connection. I also dedicated myself to guiding the youth group, creating a supportive environment for their spiritual growth. Additionally, I shared my knowledge and faith through teaching Sunday School and Bible study, engaging with individuals of all ages. Beyond these specific roles, I committed myself to caring for the church community, striving to be a compassionate presence and a source of support.
When our two children were young, I was a stay-at-home parent and pastor’s spouse in western Pennsylvania.
From June to August 2001, I participated in a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program at Southwest General Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. During this time, I served as a hospital chaplain, providing spiritual care and support to patients and their families. The program offered intensive individual and group counseling training, equipping me with the skills to address a range of emotional and spiritual needs. I also gained valuable experience in providing grief counseling helping individuals navigate the difficult process of loss.
From September 2003 to 2006, I served as a Teacher and Group Leader at St. Martin Early Learning Center in Erie, PA. In this supervisory role, I focused on troubleshooting issues, creating a safe and nurturing environment, and fostering strong team dynamics. I was also responsible for curriculum development and the education of children. I taught kindergarten-aged youth for two years, and for one year, I provided daily care and education for twelve infants under one year. Notably, many children were enrolled due to state mandates, ensuring they received consistent care and supervision to monitor their well-being and development.
From June 2006 to 2011, I worked as the Director of Youth and Family Ministries in Endwell, New York, for two churches, while also serving as a substitute teacher in the local school system. During this period, I dedicated myself to the education, spiritual, and personal development of 25 youth and their families, leading them on various mission trips. This time marked the beginning of my involvement with the Presbyterian Youth Triennium at Purdue University. I began taking youth delegations to this event, a commitment I continued for the next 15 years, leading delegations from both the Susquehanna Valley and Genesee Valley Presbyteries.
In February 2008, I was certified by the Presbyterian Church (USA) as a POINT representative, an acronym for Presbyterians Organized in Nurture and Teaching. This certification recognized my training as a Christian Educator, equipping me to counsel churches in selecting the most suitable curriculum for their specific needs. I diligently served in this capacity, sharing my expertise and guidance within the Susquehanna Valley Presbytery and the Genesee Valley Presbytery until the program concluded around 2019.
Throughout my ministry, I have been deeply involved in presbytery leadership, first with Susquehanna Valley Presbytery and later with Genesee Valley Presbytery. I gained valuable experience as a committee chair. I actively served on the Nurture and Care team, overseeing summer camp programs, mission work, and the implementation of child protection policies. I also contributed to the financial health of the presbytery by assisting with grant writing. My commitment to the broader church is further demonstrated by my consistent attendance at presbytery meetings for over 15 years.
During my time in the Binghamton area, I participated in the Synod of the Northeast meetings yearly. My involvement went beyond mere attendance; I served as an adult advisor for a youth trip to the United Nations' Presbyterian Office. I provided guidance and mentorship to young people engaging with global issues. Additionally, I was a dedicated Fab5 Presbytery Partnership Group (PPG) member, collaborating to strengthen inter-presbytery relationships. I took the initiative to design a website for the Fab5 advocacy subgroup, which facilitated communication and resource sharing. Moreover, I contributed to advocacy efforts as a Public Policy Advocacy Network member for the Synod of the Northeast, focusing on pressing social justice concerns.
My involvement with the National Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators (APCE) began in 2007. Initially, I contributed as a workshop leader, sharing my expertise on various topics. In 2024, I led a workshop titled "Re-Imagining the Sacraments from a Child’s Perspective." In 2019, I presented "Let Software Flow Down Like Water for Churches," and in 2017, I offered "Navigating the Chaos of Google Apps." In 2016, my workshop was titled "Projects to 'Die' For." Around 2020, I became the Northeast Representative for APCE, and in 2023, I furthered my commitment by joining the organization's communications team.
In 2007, I also joined the Northeast Association of Christian Educators (NEACE) and attended their yearly conferences. My dedication to this organization led me to join the leadership team in 2011. I served in various roles, beginning as secretary, then treasurer, and ultimately as the Northeast representative. During my time as a leader, which concluded in 2023, I actively planned and executed six regional annual conferences, providing valuable resources and networking opportunities for Christian educators in the region.
Since September 2011, I have served as the Director of Christian Education and later as the Director of Family Ministries in Pittsford, NY, at a large and diverse church where I have significant volunteer management responsibilities. In this role, I have gained extensive experience training elders, managing budgets, and creating vision and long-term strategic plans collaboratively. I have been privileged to teach children, youth, and adults, fostering spiritual growth across all age groups. Additionally, I successfully planned and executed large conferences featuring national speakers and renowned authors, enriching the spiritual and intellectual life of the congregation.
In 2017 and 2018, I initiated and directed the Tech for Churches Conference in Pittsford, NY. Recognizing the growing need for churches to adapt to the digital age, I organized this conference to equip them with essential technological skills. The conference featured free workshops taught by local experts, serving approximately 50 participants each year, with attendees coming from 15 to 20 churches, and some traveling from as far as Buffalo.
My wife and I reside in the Pittsford area, where we have watched our children grow into successful adults who are now employed.