I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1946, my family background is Italian from the immigrant community in South Philadelphia. My early home life was insecure and troubled, and I learned early on and firsthand the raw needs of the community I serve in my ministry.

It was through Presbyterian Mission that I was introduced to a living God. My first exposure to Presbyterians was as a troubled teenager, having been homeless, angry and alienated. A group of young people, their youth leader, and a dedicated pastor befriended me - their witness and love introduced me to a warm and vibrant personal faith in God through Jesus Christ. I owe to these persons, and to Trinity Presbyterian Church, Clifton Heights, PA, the congregation which nurtured all of us, a great debt of love.

In my ministry I have tried to return to the church, and to others who are experiencing alienation and homeless, the same blessing of hope which was extended to me in my need. I feel a strong call to stand for Moderator so that I can share this passion of my ministry with the church that I love. I can offer a unique perspective on the importance of mission and evangelism - it is a deeply rooted part of my heart and my personal journey with the Lord.

My zeal to witness led me to New York City when I was 16, and I worked at St. Paul's House, an Episcopal mission in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan doing neighborhood youth work, family ministry, and street ministry. We also welcomed homeless folk for meals and fellowship. Friends urged me to get education and training, and I entered Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, from which I graduated in 1967 with a diploma in Biblical studies and a certificate in Christian Education. Following my graduation I worked for the summer at the Presbyterian Church of the Evangel in South Philadelphia, and then for several years as Assistant Director at the Gospel League Home, a shelter for families in Chicago.

I completed my college work at Nyack College, Nyack, New York, graduating in 1974. I met and fell in love with Marsha Young there; her father was a career military officer stationed in nearby Stewart Field. Our first date was speaking together at a street meeting in Manhattan! We were married in 1973, and Marsha has been my partner in ministry at Meeting Ground from the beginning. Our daughter Alessandra was born in 1979, and Kristen in 1988.

While at Nyack College, I worked as an assistant to Dr. Myron Miller, Pastor of the Ramapo Presbyterian Church in Hillburn, NY. The congregation strongly urged me to seek further education and training for ministry, and I entered Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1978. I was ordained in Hudson River Presbytery at Harrison Presbyterian Church, Harrison, NY where I had served as a summer intern. This congregation gave me strong encouragement and support to enter the ordained ministry. Their friendship and love, along with the congregation at Ramapo, guided me through days of doubt and uncertainty to a sure footing of knowing I was called to the ministry.

The call of my life is to serve in pastoral mission to persons who are alienated and homeless. There were no models of ministry to which I felt called, and I accepted a position as pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, Springfield, Massachusetts. This was a struggling congregation to which I came as a part-time stated supply in 1978 and left as a full-time installed pastor in 1981. I loved the ministry in that church, but my call to mission was too strong to ignore. In June, 1981 we moved to Maryland and worked with others to begin the ministry of Meeting Ground where I continue to serve as Pastor and Director. Meeting Ground is a growing community and partnership with and among persons and families experiencing homelessness, and for all who are alienated or living on the margins of our society. You can learn more at: www.meetingground.org.

In the early days of Meeting Ground I needed salary, and served several churches as interim pastor and stated supply including Calvary Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware and Chesapeake City Presbyterian Church in Maryland. New Castle Presbytery has welcomed, supported, encouraged, and blessed the ministry of Meeting Ground, and my personal ministry, for over 26 years.

In my service to the church I have been on a variety of committees, commissions, and task forces, but I am particularly proud of the opportunity to serve several terms on the Speer Trust Commission of New Castle Presbytery, which seeks to alleviate poverty and support the development of communities and persons struggling at the margins of our society.