In 2011 I am celebrating 30 years of ordained ministry and 20 years as senior pastor. I accepted the call to a struggling African-American fellowship of 35 members in a typical small New England church.I was filled with vision and an inner fire. Within 2 years we had become the fastest growing church within the American Baptist Churches of Vermont and New Hampshire. As the membership continued to grow we began a second early worship in an effort to accommodate the growing membership. As a vibrant new multi-ethnic church we expanded our ministries reaching into the local community. During the past 20 years I have mentored 29 ministers many who are currently serving as pastors. This has been the upside of my ministry.

Unfortunately there has been a downside which has manifested itself in my private life. Since my call I have lost both parents and both siblings to cancer. The most recent being last summer. After each death all of which were in Ohio I was back in the pulpit days later preaching. I have just recently realized that I have never allowed myself time to grieve. On top of the losses I have also been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I do not feel the inner fire that has sustained me over the years. My spiritual battery is running low on energy and I am losing the fire that burned 20 years ago.

My sabbatical will consist of the following: (1) spending two weeks at an American Baptist retreat in Vermont for prayer and reflection, (2 )returning to my home in Ohio for two weeks to reconnect with old friends and visit the graves of my family and, (3 )writing an inspirational book 'Too Blessed To Complain'