Contact

  • Email Address:
  • Website: http://www.purposequest.com

Biography

I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I attended Duquesne University where I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics in 1972 and 1974 respectively. In 1973, I had a life-changing spiritual experience that radically changed my life course and purpose.

Since then, I have served as an administrator, teacher, consultant, author, and pastor in my professional career. I hold a second master’s degree in pastoral ministries, and earned my doctorate in pastoral ministries from Liberty Theological Seminary in Houston, Texas in 1995.

As executive director of Worship International from 1993-1995, I had the time of my life planning and organizing worship conferences for Integrity Music around the world, and later I became a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), the highest distinction awarded in the conference management industry. In the process, I have taught extensively on the topics of time management, life purpose and organization, and have conducted leadership and purpose training sessions throughout the United States and in 25 countries.

I am also certified to administer the DISC and other related personality profiles through the Institute for Motivational Living. A few years ago I was certified to do institutional profiles through ChurchSmart resources, U. S. distributors of the Natural Church Development system. I am privileged to be a facilitator for The Pacific Insitute, based in Seattle, as well certified to administer 360 degree feedback profiles for The Leadership Circle.

I’ve published seven books, Life is a Gold Mine: Can You Dig It?; I Wrote This Book on Purpose, So You Can Know Yours; So Many Leaders, So Little Leadership; A Daily Dose of Proverbs; Strictly Business—Soft Issues to Help You in the Hard World of Business; Unlocking The Power of Your Purpose; and Beyond Purpose. I have also written and edited numerous articles and publications.

I am married and reside with my wife, Kathryn, in Pittsburgh, PA, where I now serves as president of PurposeQuest International, a personal and leadership development organization I founded in 2001. Kathryn and I are the proud parents of two adult children, John III and Deborah. I love traveling, especially to Africa, and am energized when I speak in conference and leadership-training settings around the world. I also enjoy giving advice as a consultant to leaders and organizations alike.