Born and raised in Oceanside, California, Deacon Dan was first exposed to religion and spirituality through the Rastafarian movement in Jamaica that began in the 1930s after Haile Selassie I was crowned Emperor of Ethiopia. It was specifically through the music of Bob Marley and the Wailers that Deacon Dan developed his rasta roots. Over the years, from his initial encounter with the One Drop reggae rhythm to earning a Master of Divinity degree at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, Deacon Dan developed an interfaith theology and spirituality that is grounded in the Rasta tradition and affirms the myriad perspectives people have in finding and making
meaning in their human experience. As a commissioned and endorsed minister in the Federation of Christian Ministries, and an APC Board Certified Chaplain, Deacon Dan brings a rich skill set that includes a lifelong passion for athletics and fitness, from playing college football at Palomar College (State/National Champions-1993) and San Diego State University (Class of 1997), to his status as a National Strength and
Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator (TSAC-F). Deacon Dan’s background in athletics, teaching, coaching, and trauma-informed spiritual care allows him to provide compassionate care and support to those he serves.
