Our Interim Pastor.

I was born and brought up in a devout Roman Catholic family in Kerala State, India. After high school I joined a monastic Roman Catholic Seminary. I was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest after two years of introductory studies, three years of Philosophical studies, four years of Theological studies and one year of practicum. I served as an Assistant Parish Priest for three years in Kerala.

I came to study for a doctorate in Biblical Literature in St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri.  Since I got married, I could not continue my studies there.

Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio, gave me a scholarship to continue my Biblical Literature studies. While studying there, a Presbyterian Church welcomed me and after the required exams, I was ordained a Presbyterian minister.  I served two churches there, one as an Assistant Pastor and the other as the Solo Pastor and Senior Pastor. During this time I studied at the University of Cincinnati and got my Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Doctoral degree in Counselor Education.

I came to Kansas City, Missouri, in support of my wife’s calling to teach Psychiatric Nursing at the University of Kansas, Kansas City. Then Colonial Presbyterian Church, a large 2000 member congregation, called me as one of their Associate Pastors. I served there for six years, responsible for Evangelism, World Mission, Counseling, and Prayer ministries. From there St. Luke Presbyterian church called me as their pastor. God blessed me to serve there for 20 significant years and retire on December 30, 2007.

I went through the Interim Pastor Training and am excited about serving churches throughout our denomination. I served as the Interim Pastor for Grace Presbyterian church, Crystal City, MO, Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery and completed it on October 25th 2009.  My second Interim ministry was at the First Presbyterian church, Danville, Virginia (January 2010 to March 2011).  I started my third Interim ministry here on August 1, 2011.  I have my wife of 38 years, Leonie, two grown-up children and a granddaughter, 3 years old.