Doug was born in Munster, Indiana. He went to Christian elementary and high schools, and after graduation, entered immediately into Lincoln Christian College (LCC) on a ministerial program. He held a variety of jobs to put himself through college and graduated from LCC. He had already started preaching by the middle of his junior year of college at a little church in central Illinois, and has been preaching ever since. Doug and Cheryl were married in Lansing, IL, and he thinks of her as his best friend and partner. 

Doug served as the Senior Minister for South Haven Christian Church from September 1970 – August 1984.

Doug and Cheryl have been in Florida since 1994, when he served as the Senior Minister for Adventure Christian Church and for Welcome Home Christian Church.