About Brian ...
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Brian was born and raised in a small town in western Pennsylvania, and was blessed to be a part of a Christian family. As a child, Brian was diagnosed with retina blastoma, (cancer of the retinas,) which blinded his right eye and severely damaged sight in his left eye.
Brian grew up “visually-impaired,” but was active in Church, school, and scouting, and graduated high in his class. He went on to earn a B.A. in Speech Communication & Psychology from Penn State University, where he then worked as Associate Staff with The Navigators Campus Fellowship. Brian then attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity Seminary, in Deerfield, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. He graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree with a focus in Pastoral Counseling in 2000. He then joined the ministry staff of Centenary Church as Director of Discipleship, serving in that role until 2005, when Brian became the Associate to the Pastor. In 2008, he graduated from the Arrow Leadership Program, and took on additional leadership roles and preaching responsibilities. From 2002-2004, Brian had a series of surgeries to try to stabilize the severely damaged retina in his left eye. These surgeries were ultimately unsuccessful, resulting in blindness by 2005. Brian was matched with his first guide dog Lansing in 2009, and his second guide Rory in January 2017 after the tragic loss of Lansing in Oct. 2016. Brian’s ministry priority has been to equip and encourage believers to build a strong relationship with Jesus, and to learn and live God’s Word. This then should spark believers to build strong relationships with each other and with non-believers. Brian challenges other believers to remember that no matter what “weaknesses” we may think are limiting us, God can and does provide strength and courage for us to live lives that make a significant difference for Him and for His Kingdom. In his free time, Brian enjoys time with his amazing wife Kathy, 3-5 mile walks with Rory, listening to books, swimming, and traveling. He enjoys games, home-made cookies, and puts the “fanatic” back in being a fan for the Pittsburgh Steelers. |
Brian and his wife Kathy
Brian and guide dog Rory
Rory
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