1. What circumstances/life experiences led you to faith in Jesus Christ? I love to tell this story! One night, about 18 years ago, I was eating at a Denny's Restaurant late at night. A gentleman approached me and said, "when you die and get to the gates of heaven, and they ask why you should be let in, what will be your answer?" I was pretty stumped. I gave the usual answers about 'living the best I could'...'never physically hurting anyone', etc. He then drew a picture on a napkin: me on the high left of the page, a valley in the middle and God on the high right. He explained the only way to God was a ladder in between...and the name of the ladder was Jesus Christ. I didn't understand that night. But a year or so later, I went to a college retreat and accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. As I was walking out of the meeting, that story popped into my mind and I instantly said to myself, "oh...NOW I get it!". The Lord lifted the veil from my eyes.

2. How has He changed your life? I remember reading the verse that says when we are changed spiritually, the things that we used to put first will be last and vise versa. That really is the case, although a constant struggle not to go backwards. Also, my faith has been challenged so many times (and still is) with trials. One of the biggest challenges was when I lost my full time job with Kurzweil Music. It was very hard to have faith at first, but I've learned that He always takes care of our every need. It's the way God allows us to bloom into the person He wants us to be.

3. What opportunities for ministry has God allowed you through your music? Traveling around the U.S. to minister for congregations big and small.The way to unleash the power in music: tell God to do whatever He wants with it. With over 100 Jazz Praise concerts under our belt, we continue to receive letters and e-mails about how our music is touching lives. Simply put, music allows me to stand and be bold for Christ.

4. What has God been teaching you in the last year? last 5 years? I leaned that it's not about the notes that we musicians play, it's about the focus of our heart to God. In the last year, God has also shown me how to have more patience with others and myself. He's taught me to repspect our finances more. In the last five years, God has taught me how to love my wife and family more. Every morning when I awake, I ask the Lord to make me a better father and a husband. I sometimes fail, but I continue to strive for that goal.

5. What is your favorite scripture? Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."