Born in the steel town of Gary, Indiana, Tony was raised by loving parents who instilled in him the ethics of hard work and moral character. He dutifully attended weekly church services, yet had no understanding of what it meant to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. And even though he went to church on Sundays, during the week, Tony lived life “his own way.”
Shortly after attending Indiana State University, Tony joined the Marine Corps. After boot camp, he received orders to be stationed in Okinawa, Japan. It was there that God’s plan for Tony would unfold, as he recognized and embraced his need for a Savior.
During the time that Tony was in the Marine Corps, he had a long, daily commute. He used this time to study via Calvary Chapel’s radio station, K-WAVE. Over time, Tony grew increasingly interested with the “new” teaching style of Calvary Chapel, and he began attending Calvary Chapel of Vista, where he eventually went on staff as an assistant pastor.
Calvary Chapel Newport News, Virginia, was established in October 1994. Today, CCNN is a multi-cultural church, with members from over 30 different countries represented. More than 2,200 people call Calvary Chapel Newport News their home and are inspired by Tony’s simplistic, yet relevant teaching style.
