Cliff was raised in Los Angeles. As a young man he showed great interest in church music and jazz. Before entering college, he traveled with the University of Southern California touring Europe playing jazz music. Cliff was accepted to the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California and graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and trumpet performance. He later received a Master of Music Education from the same institution.

Cliff taught music in Garden Grove, Los Angeles, and Torrance School Districts for a total of 12 years. He also served as Choir Director and Audio Visual Director at Calvary Chapel South Bay in Gardena, California. It was at Calvary Chapel that Cliff decided to change careers to be in ministry full-time. This passion was developed in the counseling rooms of the church.

Cliff was later accepted into the Clinical Psychology program at Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology and graduated with a Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology. He later received his ministerial license and was ordained in July, 2017 by International Assemblies of the First Born, Inc. Cliff received a Master of Divinity from Azusa Pacific University in 2021 and sits on the Board of Directors for Dallas Willard Ministries. He is currently the lead pastor at New Hope Christian Center in Lomita, CA.

Cliff resides in Southern California with his wife Robin, and their two children.