Hi. I’m told that this is to be a bio page. In other words I am supposed to tell you about myself. Only problem is, I would rather talk about Otterbein and the things that go on here and the dreams that God seems to be laying upon our hearts for ministry in this place. You see, I truly believe that Otterbein a hard working group of faithful Christians who are growing in energy and vitality every day. We are building on a solid core of tradition and commitment that extends back some 218 years. And we are…. See??? I tend to get a bit carried away when I think of all that is happening here and the ideas and dreams that are ever coming forward. But they tell me that you want to know about me. I can’t for the life of me understand why but here goes. As Bill Cosby remarked in one of his comedic routines – I started out as a child. A child born right here in Hagerstown, raised in the West End, graduating from South High in 1968. I received both a wife and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Maryland College in 1972, and went on to Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., for my Masters of Divinity in 1975. I went back to Wesley in 1985 for my Doctor of Ministry, granted in 1989. I am an ordained Elder in Full Connection with the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church. This past Conference I completed 35 years of ministry. All of that means that you can call me Reverend, Pastor or Doctor but what I prefer is just plain, Steve. I have been here at Otterbein for 22 years. Ten of those I served as the Program Minister under Rev. Wilson A. Shearer. For the last 12 years I have been the Senior Pastor, or as it is technically known, the "Pastor in Charge." That simply means that EVERYTHING eventually stops on my desk. If you know anything about Methodism you are aware that all of this is rather unusual. To be in my home town, to have served in one place for 16 years and to have been moved to Senior Pastor from Associate at the same church is simply not done. But Otterbein is a most unusual church. I think the Bishop and Cabinet recognized that and what we are trying to accomplish here in Christ’s service. Our commitment to the Downtown is growing as are our programs. Spring Fling and Trunk-or-Treat along with our after school program in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club are some of the best examples of that and… There I go again. Let’s see. What else might you want to know about me? I am a father and grand-father. My ministry in the larger community includes serving as the Chaplain for the Hagerstown Police Department, as a Trustee for the Washington County Public Library, as a member of the Executive Board for the Children’s Advocacy Center and on the Board of Directors of the Hagerstown Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc. In my spare time I like to read and walk and work wood. I also am crazy about snow as most anyone here at Otterbein will tell you. We have a lot of fun kidding each other about that. That is just the kind of people they are. We like to have a good time—like our picnic. We had over 350 folks there this past year and it was a great day with family games, and the kids running around on a scavenger hunt. The little ones were really excited when they won door prizes and …sorry, I did it again. But really, this is enough about me. Go back and look over the web site and learn more about Otterbein. Better yet, come by some Sunday and worship with us. You really have to experience what our life together is like on this corner. Or stop by through the week and say "hi." I’ll give you the $1.50 tour and do my best to answer your questions. I’m usually here most mornings except Friday’s which I try to take off. Afternoons often find me either visiting at the hospital or nursing homes or in meetings. You can also email me by clicking on my picture above.
