It was 1993 when I begin to serve as the Youth Pastor of Machias Community Church. Pastor Ron began the Contenders classes a few years later.

Having attended [a local Christian College], I had a fresh perspective of what was going on in Christian colleges. The level of instruction in every Contenders class was superior to that of every comparable class. The cost difference was of course a much better investment as well!

I served at Machias for 14 years, which if you know anything about youth pastors, that is a very long time to remain in a single church body. Being an assistant, as well as student over the years, has prepared me for pastoring a church and teaching Contenders classes.