Born and raised in Western Pennsylvania's Mon Valley, Bryan graduated from Messiah College in 1977 and Evangelical School of Theology in 1982.

Licensed with the EC Church in 1978, he has served EC churches and served for a brief time with the Church of the Brethren. He is an Itinerant Elder with the EC Church, and currently serves on the denomination's Prayer Mobilization Team.

Bryan met his wife Janice (Rohland) while serving as Zion's Assistant Pastor from 1981-1983. They were married in 1983 and have one daughter, Lindsey, who is attending Bryn Mawr College.

Bryan enjoys reading, backpacking and traveling with his family, especially to North Carolina's Outer Banks.

As Zion's pastor, Bryan believes that "a relationship with God by faith in Christ is personal, but it's not private. God designed us to need each other, to help each other in accomplishing His mission in the world."