What does your job involve?
My job involves doing marriage and family counseling and individual counseling.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Anniston, Alabama, but I was basically raised in the Los Angeles, California, suburb of Pasadena.
How large is the family you grew up in?
I’m the oldest of two sisters and one brother.
When and how did you come to know Christ?
I became a Christian when I was 11 years old when I was in the fifth grade. My dad was a pastor and he came to me and told me that he thought it was time that I consider Christ’s claims in my life. He talked with me about it and told me his experiences, and I became a Christian at that time. But I really didn’t take the claims of Christ seriously until my junior year in college.
What was the first job you ever had?
When I was a junior in high school, I worked for the Broadway department store as a box boy.
Where did you go to college?
I did my undergraduate work at the University of Redlands, which is a four-year liberal arts school in California. I have a masters degree from what is now called Point Loma University, and I also did graduate work at the University of Southern California and the University of Miami. I did my doctoral work at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
When and to whom did you marry?
I got married in December of 1967 to Caren Kilby. She was a dear friend of my younger sister and a family friend. I thought she was very attractive, so we ended up dating and eventually got married.
How many children do you have?
Two, a son and a daughter.
How did you get into ministry?
I started out as an assistant pastor at a church in California. The senior pastor did not like to do counseling all that much, so he referred a lot of counseling to me. I developed an interest in it, so I went back to school and enhanced my skills. After I got my doctorate and was working at a psychiatric hospital in Miami, I joined the staff of a large church as a counselor and psycholgist. It was at the church, University Baptist, that I met [then First Orlando Senior Pastor] Jim Henry and he offered me a job up here.
Have you ever done any long- or short-time missionary work?
Yes, extensively. I’ve been all over Europe, to South America and Asia.
Do any particular moments from those trips stand out?
Probably the most memorable came when we were in Belgium. We were working with a church and the pastor asked us to visit an older lady that lived in a small town. We went out there and my wife and I had the privilege of leading her to Christ. That was a great experience.
Before coming to work at First Orlando, where else had you served?
I was a youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Pasadena. I also served at First Baptist Church of Sunland, California, and was on the staff at Immanuel Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.
What was the turning point of your life?
When I was a junior in college, I became profoundly aware of the moral and ethical imperatives that come out of the life of Jesus as seen in the New Testament — how to treat people, how to love people. I read the New Testament intensely trying to get an understanding of what the Lord expected of me. The Holy Spirit really convicted me about my lack of love, compassion and tenderness for people. So I vowed to be a more authentic person.
What do you like best about your job?
There are many facets of my job that I just love. I certainly enjoy being around people and love being able to encourage them. I like the fact that the church has really entrusted me. I don’t have anybody breathing down my neck. The church trusts me to spend my time in ministry wisely. I really value those things.
What’s your favorite Bible verse?
I have several. But one, from the standpoint of love, stands out, and that is John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
What do you like to do with your free time?
I enjoy exercising. I like to walk, doing yard work and gardening, and playing golf.
If you weren’t a pastor here at First Orlando, what would you be doing?
I’d still be in the counseling ministry. That pretty much has been my life and God has blessed me by allowing me to do it. I can’t imagine doing anything else. I suppose in my fantasy life I’d be a professional musician or professional golfer, but the bottom line is, I’d be in some aspect of counseling.
Is there something about you people would be surprised to learn?
I played in a rock band when I was in high school and college. I feel fortunate that God protected me from drugs and alcohol. I still enjoy playing 1950s-type music.