Hi neighbor. I began at South on February 7, 2025 with over 25 years of PC(USA) ministry experience in a variety of congregational settings and with a faithful focus on building community-wide, authentically inclusive partnerships for the common good.

I lead from the belief that we are all spiritual and religious. We are spiritual because I believe we all have a soul-deep need for divine connection and to be accepted as unique, fully valued human beings. You know, like how many of us feel watching a beautiful sunset or spring blooms, whether by ourselves or with the people we most trust. It’s my 12-step recovery group background that especially reminds me of this.

Believing we find our most authentic spiritual selves through active participation in an intentional faith community is why I believe we become religious. An intentional faith community is rooted in a shared history with meaningful rituals and clearly expressed values to guide us towards being our best selves and being the best possible neighbors. I didn’t grow up in a religious family or community. My homecoming to the Presbyterian Church (USA) began in college. NJ

I was educated at William Paterson University (B.S., Sociology) and Princeton Theological Seminary (M.Div)

I’m husband to Rev. Stefanie Muntzel, father to three young adults, and a cat dad to Ellie and Evie.

I maintain a work-life balance by writing and singing original music on acoustic guitar, taking digital photos of nature, and kayaking or playing pickleball whenever I can. I also love baseball and novels by Dean Koontz, William Kent Krueger, Ken Follett, and other historical fiction writers.

My life-long “anchor” verse of scripture is Mark 5:19, which reports Jesus commanding:

“Go home to your friends, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy he has shown you.”