He completed his doctoral studies in philosophy at Claremont Graduate School (Ph.D., 1972). During these years he was associate pastor at Wesley Church in San Jose, and then at the Centenary Church in Los Angeles.
As he was completing his doctoral degree in philosophy at Claremont Graduate School (Ph.D., 1972), he also held pastoral roles at two churches: Wesley Church in San Jose and the Centenary Church in Los Angeles.