In 1985, Doug attended Eastern Seminary in Philadelphia, where, after three years, he earned his Masters of Divinity in 1988. In the first year of seminary, Doug was the Student Assistant Pastor at Hancock’s Bridge UMC. During the next two years, he was a Student Local Pastor at Carney’s Point and Deepwater UMC’s. He was ordained as a Deacon in 1987 and an Elder in 1990. His connection with Mantua at that time was through Rob Tomer who was the pastor at that time. Rob and Viv Rodeffer were in charge of the case studies and to this day, Rob refers to him as “Little Dougie”.

Doug served Central United Methodist Church in Linwood from 1988 – 1995 where he met and married his wife Pam. Justin was born in Linwood in 1995. In 1995, they moved to Franklinville to pastor the Franklinville Church and Porchtown Church. It was there that Tyler was born in 1997.

Doug and his family moved to Marmora in 1999 where he earned his Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in 2002. Doug and Pam adopted Kristin in 2001 from South Korea. Doug remained as the pastor there until 2008.

During his ministry, he has been active in district youth events, mission trips to Russia and the Dominican Republic. He has served on the Conference Episcopacy Committee, Board of Directors for Camps and Conferences and volunteer directs a week of Camp, Conference Board of Ordained Ministry and District Committee on Ordained Ministry.