Please help me finish my Doctor of Ministry

Dear Friends, over the last six years I have been working on a Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, PA outside of Philadelphia. Many of you have been so gracious to support me over the years with encouragement, prayers, and financial assistance. Last year I took a two-year extension because of changing circumstances in the family and moving from Champaign, IL to a new ministry in Carlisle, PA.

 

There have been several setbacks this year including a severe case of COVID-19 that both my wife and I suffered at the beginning of the new year that lingered for months. In July I suffered a stroke in my cerebellum that also caused me to be in the hospital for two weeks and have two months of rehab. By God’s grace, I have made an amazing recovery! Despite these setbacks, I have turned in chapters 1 and 2, having written 100 pages of my doctoral paper. I will have chapter 3 written by the end of January and hope to have both chapters 4 and 5 finished by July 2022.

 

It is my heart’s desire to see others’ lives transformed by the love of the Father and the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

 

Over the course of my ministry, I have known many Christians who sincerely desire to follow the Lord while struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions. People who, in spite of their sinful urges, have committed to follow Christ in holiness and obedience. Yet they do so with wounded hearts and a great deal of shame. They don’t know how to share their struggles with other believers out of fear of judgment or rejection. Further, the church often does not know how to minister well to people who struggle in these areas.

 

I believe the Gospel addresses the greatest needs of the human heart! I also believe that the greatest place to find healing and wholeness is within the local church! To many, the only options available are either for the church to compromise their beliefs for the sake of “inclusiveness” or else to draw a line in the sand in cultural opposition. Neither of these offers true hope and healing. One wrongly says that their sin does not matter to God and the other gives the impression that they are beyond the reaches of God’s grace.

 

But is there a better way? Is there a way to be faithful to the truth of Scripture and uncompromising in our beliefs while also saying that Jesus died to pay the penalty for sins and that those who turn to Him in repentant faith can be saved to the uttermost just like every other sinner?

 

I believe there is! Will you please consider helping me fund my seminary education as I work towards developing a ministry tool to help train pastors to equip their congregations to faithfully and biblically help people who struggle with unwanted same-sex attractions.

 

All of the money raised will be used towards my continuation fee which is $1,115 this year and next as well as my $2,500 DMin Project fee which totals $4,729.

 

There are three ways you can give: 1. You may send money directly to Westminster Theological Seminary Finance Department 2960 Church Road, Glenside, PA 19038. Please specifically state you would like this applied to my account. 2. You can donate money through this GoFundMe webpage. This will incur an administrative fee. 3. You may send money to me that I will apply to the ongoing fees. Please email, text, or call me if you would like my present address in Carlisle, PA.

 

With your help, I will cross the finish line and graduate in May 2023! Anything you can do to help me with this financial burden is greatly appreciated. Thank you!