I grew up in a rural area of Southern Illinois, in a town called Allendale, where I attended grade school. I graduated from high school in Mount Carmel, IL, and then went directly into blue-collar work—first as a plumber’s apprentice for two years, then in oil filter manufacturing for 13 years.

In 1995, I met and fell in love with my beautiful wife, Kristi, and we married on July 6th of the following year.

During my time at the factory, Kristi and I began desiring a true relationship with God. I was saved and baptized at the age of 11, but I certainly didn’t live like it. Kristi, however, had never made Jesus her Savior. In the fall of 1997, Kristi accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized by my father and great mentor, Steve Case. At that time, I rededicated my life to Jesus and stepped into the calling to ministry I had been running from my whole life.

After five years of marriage, Kristi and I had our first child, a son named Isaiah, and began raising him to love the Lord. Isaiah was full of energy, laughter, and a genuine love for Jesus. During this time, we would travel around sharing music ministry, with Isaiah, my little "mini me," running around and participating in singing and playing, moshing with his little mohawk. Music being such a huge part of my life, Isaiah took to playing guitar like his dad at the age of four.

It was also at this time that the Lord blessed us with our second son, Maxwell. Max was a sweetheart from the very beginning. If you know him, you know exactly what I mean—his smile and hugs are infectious. Maxwell loved to do whatever big brother did, and he began playing drums at the age of five. Isaiah and Max would jam together and even serve in our kids’ church band at a very young age.

Just two years after Maxwell was born, Kristi and I were blessed with our sweet daughter, Sophia. I’ll never forget the moment I saw her and how she stole my heart. It didn’t take long for Sophia to start bossing her brothers around. They were so crazy about their sister that they would do anything she asked. Sophia also began playing guitar and writing songs at a super early age. I can honestly say that she is one of the best songwriters I have ever had the blessing of sitting in with.

So here we were, with this amazing family and feeling so fulfilled, when God pulled a complete surprise and multiplied our blessings once again. Lillian Grace was born, and our cup overflowed. Lillian is the sweetest, kindest soul you will ever meet. Isaiah was thirteen when we had her and instantly became like a second father to her. Max also nurtured her every step of the way. Sophia is over six years older than Lillian, but they are absolute best friends. Lillian also loves music—she plays the piano and sings her heart out.

I am so very proud of the four blessings God has given me, and yet He continues to multiply our hallelujahs. I was honored to officiate the wedding of my son Isaiah in 2020, as he married his beautiful wife Anna, and she became our daughter-in-love. They have blessed us with two wonderful grandchildren: Judah “Perry” Case and Amelia Michelle Case. God is so good!

I have been in ministry for twenty-five years. I served for ten years bi-vocationally while working in the secular workforce, and now I have been in full-time church ministry for fifteen years. I’ve served as a pastor, preacher, youth/children’s pastor, and worship pastor.

My heart’s desire is always to build up the body of Christ through ministry—providing inspiration, encouragement, counsel, and spiritual guidance.

I truly love the Lord with all my heart, and I have a deep love for all people as well. If I can inspire anyone—from the down-and-out, the left-out, the well-off, and the wise, to the saint and the sinner—to come to know Jesus and walk with Him closer, I am here to do it!

I am honored to be the Lead Pastor of The Chapel! I’m here for you!