Favorite part of your role at MSBC?

I have many favorite parts, but following Jesus into the broken and hurting places where so many people are stuck and where angels fear to tread; experiencing and observing the healing and delivering power of Jesus, our Healer, Deliverer, Savior, and Friend.  Whether it's in preaching/teaching, visiting at the hospital, counseling with people, officiating funerals and weddings, going out on the “Blocks” with Adopt-a-Block, or visiting the Strong Tower Orphanage in Haiti, I love pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ and celebrating His ever amazing grace and love.

How did you get into ministry?

When I was a little kid, my parents took me to nursing homes and elderly relatives’ homes to visit them.  I was also expected to be in church every Sunday.  Little did I know God was training me for ministry.  Then, a mere month after I surrendered my life to Christ in 1980, I was invited to travel and play trumpet with a Continental Singers Group for a summer.  It's been a steep climb of following the Lord into the pastorate since then, with me kicking and resisting most of the way.

Hometown:

I spent the first five years of my life in Stickney, SD, then moved to Mitchell, SD, home of the world's only Corn Palace. I graduated from high school as a "Mitchell Kernel.  Concordia College, Moorhead, MN was where I went to college, and received a Bachelor's Degree in Music/Trumpet performance.  Ironically, I graduated from there as a Concordia "Cobber." uffice it to say, my education sounds a bit "corny" as I look back at it today."

Family Info:

I'm the oldest of three brothers and a sister, who live back in the "home country" of the northern plains.  My father was a printer who shared with me his love of the outdoors, hunting, and fishing.  My mother has been a piano teacher and church organist, handing down her love of music.  My wife Melanie and I have been married over 30 years, and we get to be in ministry together every week.  God has graced us with two delightful children, Mackenzie and his wife, Hallie and Madeline, an RN and her husband, Ben Fondren.  All are pursuing God’s plans for them, and we love praising Him together.  Houlton, Maine has been our home and ministry base since 1991.

One thing God wants me to share with others...

Know, love, and trust Jesus personally and deeply as your Lord and Savior, and "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and everything else will be added unto you as well."

What is a fun/interesting fact about you?

I LOVE to travel and deeply appreciate the beauty of God's handiwork on this globe.  I've had the priviIege of having been to every state in the USA except Alaska, and have visited 17 different countries in the world.  

What makes you laugh?

Being goofy with Melanie and the kids makes me laugh.  It may surprise you, but the Burns family can be really weird sometimes ;-)