With the help of my Normandy-Veteran dad, my mom gave birth to me in Waterbury, Connecticut, on December 6, 1961.  We lived in Watertown, where I attracted regular corporal punishment in the public schools.  I graduated (miraculously) from Watertown High School in 1979 after lettering multiple times in Track & Field and Football, and after rendering a less-than-stellar academic performance (I would have lettered in burn-out if the school had recognized that activity).  I played football my freshman year of college before enlisting in the 1st Battalion (Ranger), 75th Infantry, during what became known as our nation's "Iran Hostage Crisis." 

      After leading me back to faith in Him through several wake-up calls (in "gutters" of various sorts, of course), the Lord blessed me in 1987 with the absolutely unmerited gift of my wife (then Army Nurse, 1LT Barbara A. Sawyer) while we both served in Germany.  We have been married for 21 years and have 2 children: Benjamin Samuel (20), is a graduate of Damien Memorial School and is a Sophomore in LCC's Automotive Science program.  Annelise Eden (14) is a Freshman at Punahou Academy.  With 22 years of ministry under my belt, I continue serve all through the independent churches of Christ; they also endorse me to serve as a Chaplain in the U.S. Army Reserve--ministry to Citizens, ministry to Soldiers.