I had my first thoughts about becoming a minister when I was 10 years old. It was a year before the slogan “Make Love, Not War” was first printed on buttons to protest The Vietnam War.
Raised in a Catholic South Chicago suburb, blocks from the epicenter of the 1960′s American counterculture (The Solidarity Bookshop), neighbors often took me to a fringe nondenominational church. My Catholic friends questioned and even ridiculed me for not attending a mainline Catholic Church. If you know “da region,” there is some branch of the Catholic Church on almost every corner in and around Chicago.
My church’s minister had an appealing (radical) demeanor. He preached peace and love, but he also played the trumpet and brought in professional musicians and singers from Chicago’s clubs and theaters to perform contemporary music with gospel lyrics. The church even had an original Hammond B series organ with Leslie speakers.
After attending my first animated marriage celebration, listening to the dance band and dining from the 35 foot buffet during the reception, at ten years of age I decided to someday become a minister. I also began to seriously study the trumpet, a competing influence in my life.
At 13, when my minister was surprisingly called to serve a church in Texas, I wondered what kind of minister our church would hire to replace him. The standard to me, was very high. Thankfully as I look back, it was a minister and wife team who made sure I had a sound relationship with God and thorough knowledge of the Bible. They encouraged my God-given love for both music and ministry.
Weeks before graduating college I was ordained by two nondenominational churches in a combined service. Within weeks I was baptizing new Christians and led a popular Chicago jazz bass player into Bible college and a life-long ministry.
In 1977 I moved to Phoenix to become an associate minister. The church received a call from a wedding planner at The Arizona Biltmore, desperately looking for a minister to officiate a wedding ceremony for an out-of-town couple. I had never heard of a destination wedding.
Loving to officiate wedding celebrations, I jumped at the chance to serve the Biltmore couple, (later learning most clergy do not perform weddings for people who are unknown or not church members). After performing that wedding ceremony the planner pulled me aside and whispered, “You better print some business cards for us.” Arizona Ministers was born.
Arizona Ministers was created as an accessible group of clergy, performing ministry services for individuals, couples and families without requiring any type of church membership. Operating independently of our traditional church institutions which require systematic donations, Arizona Ministers’ professional services are provided for reasonable service fees.
Today, Arizona Ministers facilitate premarital counseling, lead weddings, marriage vow renewals, new child dedications, adult baptisms as well as funeral and memorial services.
While appreciating my early roots of antiestablishmentarianism, throughout the years I went on to serve as a youth pastor, hospital chaplain, prison minister, new church planter and 3 times a senior pastor. Starting in 1979 I hosted radio programs on two stations and volunteered for Trinity Broadcasting.
In the 80′s, I was replaced by actor Efrem Zimbalist Jr. on TBN’s, The Word, (which led to his Word from the Holy Land series). The Phoenix Jewish Federation selected me to become an interfaith missionary to Israel in 1984, so I have always been proud of serving the broader community in which I live. Highlights of my ministerial career have been mission trips to the Holy land. Have also studied at various Mediterranean Biblical sites with Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, the 61st Chaplain of the United States Senate.
I met Gwen while serving my second ministry at a central Phoenix church. She’s adorable, a natural-born leader and the best problem solver and minister I have ever met. She also played the saxophone, which can only be further proof of our loving destiny in life. We married on May 5, discovering that nearly the entire Southwest United States celebrates our wedding anniversary.
Daughter Sarah lives back east with husband Earl and adorable granddaughter, Julia. Recently received a text message from Julia on her own little iPhone. This is going to be good!
Musical highlights have been playing trumpet with Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Ed Shaughnessy, Bob McCoy, Gary Burton, David Baker, a rehearsal with The Maynard Ferguson Orchestra, and several municipal orchestras. Have played taps for slain officers’ funerals, Amazing Grace for a centenarian’s funeral, and played God Bless America for a Make-A-Wish fundraiser with Bill Haley’s band and daughter, Gina Haley and the Comets. My favorite radio station is KCSM in San Mateo, Ca (thank you iPhone!).
Officially retired from the the pulpit ministry in 2009 after 32 years (and trumpet playing), I now officiate weddings and guest-speak for churches temporarily without a minister. I love Arizona and the purpose ministry has given my life.