I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale Florida, at the time a small resort city. My parents were the children of Greek immigrants, and I grew up in a loving household with two wonderful parents along with caring grandparents. My adolescence was spent enjoying the beautiful beaches, fishing in the river and canals and playing outdoor sports year-round in the beautiful South Florida weather. I graduated from high school in 1971, attended Broward College where I graduated with honors  in 1973, and went on to attend the University of Florida where I came to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior in the spring of 1974, part of the “Jesus Revolution”.