When did you become a follower of Jesus?

I became a follower of Jesus as a teenager. I was not raised in a Christian home, but God used several factors to draw me to Himself. Some of them included the following: grandparents who were believers and my mother getting saved at age thirty-two. Even though my father was an alcoholic and I didn’t care anything about Jesus or His people, God’s Spirit still was able to reach down into my personal pit and rescue me from my sin.

How did you become a pastor?

As I began to grow spiritually my hunger for God’s Word grew with it and my desire to share it and teach it was overwhelming. In my later teens I began to have a desire and drawing toward some kind of full time ministry. I eventually went to college and while there God confirmed through His Word, others, and experiences that He was calling me into the pastoral ministry.

Tell us about your family?

God has blessed me with an awesome family. Pam and I have been married for twenty-five years. I could not have asked for a better partner in life and ministry. She is an incredible wife and great mother. God gave us four children. All but one are grown up and either in college or married. We still have one in the home. In addition, we also have a wonderful grand-daughter who we love to spoil.

What is your educational background?

After high school I went to Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri and earned a B.A. in Bible with a minor in Discipleship. Then I attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri earning a Master’s in Christian Education and a Doctorate of Educational Ministry.

What other ministries have you been involved in?

Over the years I have been a house parent at a maternity home, professor at a Bible college, involved in prison ministries, a church plant, and various college ministries.

What do you like doing for fun?

I like to golf, go fishing, watch mysteries and football, and go see old things and old places with Pam.

Give us some of your favorites and interesting things about you.

Favorite food: Pizza (thin crust) and key lime pie

Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings trilogy

Favorite comedy team: Bud Abbott and Lou Costello (I have all 31 of their movies and their shows from the Colgate Comedy Hour)

Interesting and odd facts:

  • By 6th grade I was 6’1’’ (tallest kid in the school, but I stopped growing when I reached 6’4”).
  • I have about 1000 hours of old time radio broadcast from the 1940s & 50s. Some of them include Gunsmoke, Batman, Have Gun Will Travel, Superman, Lone Ranger, The Six Shooter, Lights Out, The Shadow, Bud Abbott & Lou Costello Show, Duffy’s Tavern, and Amos & Andy to name a few)
  • Won Outstanding Defensive Lineman of the Year
  • I impersonated Elvis Presley in a talent show
  • Was certified as a scuba diver