Pastor Andrew grew up in a family of seven in Boone, Iowa. He has one sister and three brothers. His mom and dad still reside in the same house where he spent his childhood. Andrew became a Christian at age 12 and was baptized at Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa.In high school, Andrew helped lead FCA, Bible studies, and participated in Cornerstone’s youth leadership program. One summer while mowing lawns and listening to sermons, Andrew felt God’s call on his life to pursue pastoral ministry. God gripped Andrew’s heart to know him, be satisfied in him, and to make his glory and life known to others through his word.Andrew graduated from Ames High School and had signed to play tennis for the Omaha Mavericks, until one Sunday, Pastor Tom Nesbit at Cornerstone came up to him unprompted. Tom told Andrew to go to Iowa State and to be part of the Salt Company, so Andrew did what he said! He continued going to Cornerstone and joined the Salt Company at Iowa State University. While in college, he met and friend-zoned his future wife, Moriah. Andrew graduated with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering with an Environmental Emphasis and a minor in Speech Communication.Desiring and encouraged to be a pastor, Andrew applied and was accepted into the Timothy Track program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. Through the Timothy Track program, Andrew was partnered with Cross Fellowship Church in Overland Park, Kansas where he was mentored by the pastors. Andrew spent two years attending seminary full time while interning at Cross Fellowship.During his second year at Cross Fellowship, Andrew reconnected with Moriah who had recently finished a two-year missions residency. They dated long distance until Andrew joined Moriah in her hometown of Muscatine, Iowa. Shortly after, Andrew and Moriah got engaged and married. Andrew worked as a Civil Engineer in Muscatine for four years. Andrew completed the last few credits of his Master of Divinity degree online through Midwestern, then led their church’s young adult ministry part-time with Moriah for two years.Andrew and Moriah have one daughter, Laura, who was born in late 2025. She is the cutest person on this planet.
