Pastor Rod graduated from High School in Iowa in 1969, and enlisted in the Army on June 30th 1969, which included a tour in Vietnam. He moved to Arizona in 1980, married his wife Reta in July of 1983 and began attending Calvary Chapel Tucson in 1985, where he gave his heart to Jesus Christ. He and Reta attended Calvary Chapel Tucson for 2 years until his job transferred him to Phoenix in 1987 when they began fellowshipping at Calvary Chapel Central.

Between 1987 and 1993 Pastor Rod served at Calvary Central in several capacities. He was invited to come on staff as the Assistant Pastor in 1993.

In 1997 the Lord prompted a move to Illinois and after several months they started a bible study in their home which eventually led to the establishing of Calvary Chapel Bloomington/Normal. Pastor John invited him to come back on staff at Calvary Chapel Central as an assisting pastor, where he has been since 2005.