EAC Sr Pastor's Profile

To be a follower of Jesus Christ is to be a lover of God. This intimate walk with the living God in absolute surrender and forgiveness is what separates authentic Christianity from any other variety of religion that masks itself as faith. Because God is holy and I am not, I stand in need of forgiveness. Because God is perfect and I am not, I stand in need of acceptance. Because God is love, apart from God I cannot love. Because God is life, my life can only take on its greatest purpose, meaning, significance, and experience when it is hid in Christ. As a pastor, what motivates me the most is when someone for the first time understands what it means to be a follower of Christ. There is no greater joy then to watch that person as they are filled with the wonder and excitement of discovering who Jesus is and the love and joy of following Him. Christians should be the most loving, joyful, funny, adventurous, risk-taking, fulfilled people on the planet. Whether I am preaching, teaching, visiting, counseling, or just enjoying those who attend our church, this passion, this motivation, is always at the back of my mind. John Piper has said, “The reason missions exist, is because worshipers do not.” God is worthy to be worshiped and is longing for those who are willing to be worshipers. God has done everything possible to clear the way for us to know Him and love Him by atoning for our sins in Christ Jesus and giving us the Holy Spirit to experience God now and forever. I am the beloved of God and as my teenagers say, “That is SWEET!”

2. What ministry experience do you have?

I have been in the ministry now for more than twenty years. I started out as a youth pastor when I was nineteen. I have been an associate pastor of outreach and evangelism, a counselor, and a senior pastor. I was also a director for a camp and conference center as well as a mentor for church planters. I was also a volunteer chaplain for a military hospital, a conference speaker, and co-director of a youth center.

3. What is your educational background?

Associates Degree in Bible, Theology, and Pastoral Ministry from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Bachelor of Science in Missiology with minors in Christian Education Counseling, and Anthropology from Toccoa Falls College, Toccoa Falls, Georgia.

Standard Teacher Diploma from Evangelical Training Association

Certificate in Clinical Pastoral Training from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary,

Wake Forest, North Carolina.

Master of Arts in Islamic Studies from Columbia International University, Columbia, South Carolina.

4. What is in your CD player right now?

I mostly listen to folk and international music with a smattering of instrumental music from various genres. I also enjoy anything in contemporary Christian rock. Currently I am enjoying “Adonai, The Power of Worship from the Land of Israel.” This is a compilation of worship songs in Hebrew. Anything from Keith Green or John Michael Talbot will always be in the mix as well. But I also enjoy Blue Grass, Classic Country, and Classic Rock n Roll.

5. Who has been the most influential person(s) in your Christian walk with Christ?

Without question, my wife Cecelia has been the greatest influence in my walk with Christ. As a pastor I often walk in the area of perceptions, perceptions people have of me as well as my own perceptions of my walk with Christ. Perceptions are often not a true measure of how we are doing in our walk with Christ. In my own perception I am often too hard on myself where I do not need to be or often to soft on myself in areas I should not be. With my wife, I am only a follower of Christ as far as my front door. I cannot hide behind my profession at home. My faith in Christ is only as real as my wife and children experience the way my love for Christ can be practically measured by how I love them and serve them. My wife is the most honest person I have ever known and she keeps my faith real.

6. What do you do to unwind and de-stress?

When I am not hunting or fly-fishing I will usually indulge in fiction, both writing and reading. Ever since I started reading at the age of four, books have always been a huge part of my life. Nothing gives me more pleasure than sitting down with a cup of Earl Grey tea and losing myself in a great story. I especially love the classics. Charles Dickens and J.R.R. Tolkien are some of my favorites. I also love anything by Stephen R. Lawhead; his Arthur trilogy is still one of the best ever on the story of King Arthur and Celtic culture in general.

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Last modified: May 15, 2007