The long way home
Bart enlisted in the Navy in the 1980s and started out in the nuclear power program, running reactors on submarines. He later earned a commission as a surface warfare officer, served on destroyers, and commanded two patrol ships, including a tour in the Persian Gulf guarding Iraq's oil terminals. He finished his career on the staff of U.S. Central Command and retired as a naval officer in 2008.
After retiring, he stayed on at Central Command in Tampa as an analyst while he finished seminary. He joined a Florida church staff in 2014, and in 2017 became pastor of a suburban Tampa church that had declined badly and needed revitalizing. That experience shaped his doctoral research on how pastors of small churches grow as leaders.
In late 2021 he and Jennifer moved back to Saranac. Along the way he has worked as a book buyer for Baker Book House and as a hospital chaplain in Grand Rapids.
He's passionate about developing and equipping the next generation of leaders to serve Christ, at Pathway and beyond.
