Irv grew up in central Kansas and, after completing undergraduate studies in Omaha, Nebraska, came to California with his wife Karen to attend Talbot Seminary. During residency for his Master of Divinity studies, he served as a youth pastor and associate pastor in Downey, California. Following his seminary training, Irv joined the Bible and Old Testament faculty at Talbot, and from 1977-1986 served as the Director of their Valley Campus based on the campus of Grace Church. He became a founding member of The Master’s Seminary in 1986, where he continues as the Vice President for Academic Administration and Professor of Bible and Old Testament. Irv serves as an Elder and as chair of ECHO, while his wife Karen is active with Seminary Wives’ Discipleship Program. They have been married for over 40 years and are the parents of two married sons and six grandchildren.