Born and raised in Central New Jersey, Pastor Jeff attended Concordia College – Bronxville, New York where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1988. He attended Concordia Seminary – St. Louis, Missouri where he received his Masters of Divinity degree. During his time at the Seminary, he met his wife, Amy (Parr) during his vicarage in Boston, Massachusetts. Pastor Jeff would later participate in the Pastoral Leadership Institute (2002-2006) and complete the Doctorate of Ministry degree from Concordia Seminary in 2010. Pastor Jeff has served the following congregations: St. Matthew – Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, Redeemer – Manchester, NJ, St. James – St. James, NY, Fountain of Life – Tucson, AZ, Grace Lutheran - Jacksonville, FL, and now serves here at Emmanuel.

Pastor Jeff and his wife Amy have two children: Madelyn (who is currently a Freshman at Arizona State University) and Jarod (who will be a Freshman at St Leo’s University near Tampa this Fall). Pastor Jeff has a heart for the poor and those in need as he strives to follow the Divine Mandate of Matthew 25 and the Great Commission of Matthew 28.