I grew up in a small north east Texas town. Our family attended church on a regular basis. My mother was a Sunday school teacher and one summer I recall she taught Vacation Bible School and that summer in 1977 is when I gave my life to Jesus Christ. I was only 11 years old and not a bad child, but I understood my spiritual condition enough to know that I were to die without asking Jesus to be my Savior that I would NOT be Heaven bound.
Attending a small school in rural Texas had its pros and cons. For instance, I wasn’t exposed to the fast life of the bigger cities and all the negative influence that sometimes challenge teens. If there is a negative side to the rural upbringing it is that the opportunities for education and atheltics were not as plentiful. I decided early on to not try and weigh the differences, but to accept where God placed me and choose to be postive and involve myself in as much as I could. From that attitude grew many wonderful experiences that would not trade.
After high school I moved to West Texas where I attended Cisco Jr. College and played football. After only one season I moved closer to home and attended East Texas State University. Financial burdens led me to drop out of college and I began an 11 year career with United Parcel Service. While working for UPS God began to call and equip me for full-time Christian ministry.
In 1998 my wife, Cindy, and our three small children left Texas and moved to Lynchburg, Virginia where I completed my bachelors degree in Biblical studies. From there we moved to Mt Vernon, Illinois where I served as a youth pastor in a small rural church. We were only in Illinois a short time when God called us to a church in Green Bay, Wisconsin to serve in the area of education and evangelism. We labored in that capacity for 3 years when we were called by God to plant a church in Appleton, Wisconsin.
My desire is to encourage pastors. I know what it is like to struggle in ministry. I understand what it’s like to battle little to no funding to pay bills, a not so faithful membership, and no one to share your ministry woes with. My goal is to come along side the pastor and support his leadership for the church. Pray with him and minister to the church through music and the word of God. As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17
I also have a strong desire to reach the unchurched and the unsaved with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I passionately preach sermons laced with a salvation message so it’s easily understood. I have never forced or coerced anyone to make a decision for salvation. I believe God is the one who draws a soul to salvation. My job begins and ends with clearly presenting the gospel so one can make an informed decision.
I currently Pastor this church plant which began in September 2004.