Hi, I’m Rev. Fred and I’m glad you’re here. WELCOME to my website! I’ve had a passion to help others grow in their relationships with God and with others for a long time. This process of growth, that I teach, is called “discipleship”. I live it, enjoy it and I am IN IT FOR LIFE! 

A little about me… I was born and raised in the city of Superior, in Northern Wisconsin, which is about 160 miles from the Canadian border. Yes!  It gets very cold there.  At the young age of 32, I began to feel the call to ministry.  One night at a local church dinner, my wife Judy and I sat at a table with our district superintendent.  In the course of conversation, he said that he had a small church that needed someone to supply the pulpit until he could appoint a new pastor. My pastor suggested that I could do that.  I agreed, and two Sundays later, my wife and I drove to that very small, country church.  Little did we know… I would continue to fill the pulpit of that church for thirteen years!

I have now been in the ministry for over 38 years, after also serving churches in Virginia and Maryland.  I am currently retired…well, sort of.  In my retirement I am the part-time Pastor of First Evangelical Covenant Church in Superior, Wi.  I began writing books in 2004, and still enjoy speaking and teaching when I can.  Judy and I have three married boys and are the proud grandparents of nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Judy passed away in 2021 and I have since remarried to my wife Crystal.

A little about the mission…

What is the “Quest for Discipleship”?
The quest for discipleship is a spiritual journey for those who desire to go beyond church attendance; those who have a desire to know more about God and His Word; those who have a desire to know more about life and living. As an ordained pastor, called by God, you might think this was a natural desire; but I don’t agree. There is a significant difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. One can listen to sermons and attend Bible Studies to gain (and not necessarily retain) knowledge about God, but it is not until that knowledge drops about 18 inches to the heart that we truly begin to know God.

Personally, my “quest” began one weekend while reading the book “Believing God” by Beth Moore. In this book, there are four very significant chapters. The first chapter is “Believing God Is Who He Says He Is.” The second is “Believing God Can Do What He Says He Can Do.” The third is “Believing That I Am Who God Says I Am.” Finally, the fourth chapter is “Believing That I Can Do All Things Through Christ Jesus”. This book and God’s word has made such an impact and were so powerful for me that I began to use them as a “Statement of Faith” in my church as well as in my own life. They are what stirred within me the desire to write my books and to teach others who are willing to seek out their own quest for discipleship.

A little about the Books:

My “Quest” began with my first book… “In It for Life”, which is all about the discipleship journey from the beginning to end, and the fact that it is a life-long journey. It starts with “believing” and then “becoming” a Christian. From there, learning how to “be-loved” and love one another in God’s family; the Church. Next we walk through what it means to “be-filled” with the Spirit of God who is at work in His people, the church, and the world. Finally, the last chapter is about how to live life in the “overflow”. I am in it for life, are you?

Book 2: “By His Hand” is all about lessons learned in my own journey, and the fact that God’s hand is always moving in, out, and around everything in each of our lives. The things that we experience are the pieces of our puzzle of which only God knows what the completed picture will look like.

Book 3: “Show and Tell” describes exactly that; if we call ourselves Christians, followers of Christ, then it ought to show and we ought to be able to tell of our experiences with God in our lives.

Book 4: “Jars of Clay” is what I would call a “potter and clay” example to explain why you are who God says you are! If you’d like to learn more about who you are in Christ, you can read my 13th book, “Blessed” to expand on this topic.

Book 5: “T.E.A.M.” is a church growth and a personal growth book on how and why we are really a T.E.A.M. and why church leadership is a team effort.

Book 6: “The Promised Gift” is based on the Book of Acts. It is all about the work of the promised Holy Spirit in us, as well as in the church and in the world. It is the sequel to the Gospel story of Jesus and explains the meaning and importance of Pentecost.

Book 7: “From the Pastor’s Desk” and Book 8: “More from the Pastor’s Desk” are a compilation of my favorite and best messages (according to my congregations and my wife) that are sort of a legacy to my children and grandchildren. These are messages that I would put a star on and save in my files over the years as a pastor.

Book 9: “The Kingdom of God” is all about God’s desire to build His Kingdom from the very start in Genesis and how he completes His Kingdom in the Book of Revelation. It is also about the four kingdoms spoken of in His Word; the unseen spiritual kingdom all around us; the kingdom of God that Jesus said was “within us”; the heavenly kingdom; and the kingdom to come.

Book 10: “Let Earth Receive Her King” is a collection of Advent and Christmas ideas for individuals as well as pastors. These are also some of my favorites.

Book 11: is called “Therefore”. It’s a look at what is said previous to the word therefore, as well as what follows the word therefore in the Bible, which makes for an interesting study by which to further our growth into God’s Word. “God said it, I believe it, … “Therefore”…

Book 12: “Principles from Proverbs” consists of 13 principles concerning wisdom, if followed, that promise prosperity and success in life. They are simple and priceless principles for a lifestyle of happiness and the abundant life Jesus came to give.

Book 13: “Blessed” is all about what God’s Word teaches us about what it truly means to be blessed.

Book 14: “God’s Top Ten” is my personal commentary on the Ten Commandments, which are not just a suggestion and make them easier to understand. Jesus also enhanced this in the Sermon on the Mount in the book of Matthew. For example Jesus said, “You have heard it said, ‘thou shalt not kill’ but I say don’t even get angry”. Read the book for more!

Book 15: “Prayer Changes Things” is of course, all about prayer and how we can have an effective prayer life that really can change things because God hears and answers prayer!

Book 16:  “5 R’s of Revelation”  Throughout my years in ministry, many people have asked what certain things mean in the Book of Revelation. This book is a discussion of five of those topics: “Revelation”, the “Returns”, the “Rapture”, the “Resurrections”, and the “Rewards”. I pray that this book will help people acquire a basic yet deeper understanding of these topics in the Book of Revelation. 

Book 17: “Show Me, Tell Me, Fill Me, Change Me”  is all about God. This book explains WHO He is, WHAT He does, HOW He does it, and WHY.

Book 18:  “Renewed Faith” a 90 day Devotional of thoughts and inspiration.

Book 19: “Renewed Faith 2” a second 90 Day Devotional of thoughts and inspirations.

Book 20: “Satan’s Subtle Ways and Whispers”  Sin is a definite problem! The love of sin is a problem; the practice of sin is a problem; the state (or depth of sin as it relates to our relationships is a problem; the power of sin is a problem; the consequence of sin is definitely a problem; the guilt of sin can destroy lives, and it’s a problem. These are the things we will be looking at -as we talk about our all-time favorite subject – SIN! As well as how Satan uses subtle ways and whispers to keep us and the Church from living a “life worthy of our calling”. Ephesians 4:1)

Book 21: “Change on the Horizon” In this book, I focus on the word “Change”. It is a fact that most people fear, hate, and resist change even though change is actually a constant part of our lives. From the time you and I were conceived we have been changing. We spent nine months or so changing in the womb and when we were born, we brought a lot of changes into our parents lives! Things are constantly changing! Every second, every minute of every day. Change can be the result of many different causes, and may take many different paths, as we will discover as we go along; but just know that whether in us personally or in the church, or in the world, change is on the horizon!

This is the order in which I wrote and published my books. I soon realized that the “Quest for Discipleship Series” was to be ordered differently. All of my books fit somewhere within the four statements of faith that I have come to believe and live by. I have prepared and delivered all of these in sermon form or in study form throughout the years of my ministry. I am Rev Fred, and I approve this message! (I also have a healthy sense of humor!)

I would love to speak to your group or teach a seminar for your church leaders, board members, and pastors.  To book me for a seminar, please contact me here or on Facebook.  I look forward to speaking with you!

You can also check out the book site and blog site.

Thank you for stopping by! 

Rev Fred