What are your primary responsibilities?
I’m involved in coordinating and mobilizing the whole church in prayer, fasting, healing and health. For the past several years, I was head of the Men’s Ministry and a Senior Adult Minister.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Wales in the United Kingdom, in a small mining village.
How large was the family you grew up in?
Besides my parents, it was just my two sisters and me.
When and how did you come to know Christ?
I was 18. I was quite a rebel rabble-rouser and wandered into service one day primarily because there were a lot of girls there. That night I made a decision to accept Christ. After that, I ran out of the building, lit up a cigarette, walked home and got into bed. When I got into bed, I sensed the presence of God in the room. I knelt down at the side of the bed and surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.
What was your first job?
I was a trainee mining engineer. I did that for two years and it was a horrific experience. I hated every minute of it.
Where did you go to college?
I didn’t go to college; I went to night school. I joined the Royal Air Force when I was 18. In my late 20s, I received formal training as a Christian Minister and became an ordained Minister of Religion, in the Elim Church, UK.
How long were you in the military?
I was there for six years. I didn’t fly planes, but I was in charge of a communications squadron and recruited officer cadets for navigation, electronics and future pilots.
How did you meet your wife?
I met a young lady by the name of Dawn Shaw through a reel-to-reel tape that we received while I was in Christian Fellowship stationed in the Royal Air Force in Germany. A Church in the UK used to forward us the tapes of their services. I heard Dawn sing [on the tape] and was determined to meet her. I did, we fell in love, and got married.
How many children do you have?
Two, a son and a daughter.
How did you get into ministry?
In my 20s, I was involved in a lot of church activity and through a chance encounter I met a person addicted to drugs. I was able to lead that person to Christ and, following that, I felt a call to work in the drug field. So, my wife and I went into fulltime Christian service when I was 26.
What did that service involve?
We worked 13 years with drug addicts. During that time, I received formal training and was ordained as a minister. I also became a assistant minister in a large London Church called Kensington Temple. Also, I became a director of a large therapeutic drug rehabilitation center in the United Kingdom and started several charitable trusts in the field of addiction. I was also an advisor to the UK government in the field of addictions and prison reform.
You’ve worked with a few well-known people; who are some of them?
When I was working in the West End of London abut 40 years ago, I dealt with quite a few people who were quite famous in the music scene. On of them was Eric Clapton, who was then part of the [legendary rock group] Cream. He had a very severe heroine problem and I was able to help him. I got him into [rehab] and eventually got him to live with a Christian family in the north of Scotland who was able to arrange for him to overcome his addictions. I also worked with Paul Kossoff (of the rock group Free and ended up dying of his addiction in 1976) and some of the members of the band Culture Club.
What specifically did you do?
I would work the streets of the West End of London counseling people on their addictions. I was very heavily caught up with young people who were involved in drugs and the drug scene. I was also involved in a day center, halfway house and night shelter.
What other ministry work have you done?
I was involved in helping [former Watergate conspirator] Chuck Colson establish his prison ministry fellowship in the UK. I was part of a small group of people who wrote to him while he was still in prison. I ended up becoming part of the board of his organization that was called Prison Fellowship International. In addition, I arranged Chuck’s itinerary and book translations with publishers as well as TV and radio work for him. Before that, in my early 20s, I was involved in a mission to Poland when it was under martial law. I was involved in taking medical and food relief into the country by truck. We would travel across the English Channel into Belgium, France, West Germany, East Germany and eventually into Poland. I was quite intensively involved in the evangelical churches of Poland. I did that part-time for a couple of years. Later, when I came to the States, I was involved in an outreach to Kenya and in disaster relief in Florida and following [Hurricane] Katrina in New Orleans.
What was a turning point in your life?
Following my time in drug work, I returned to pastoral work, and also began a company working in recruitment. I was extremely blessed with this company that had grown to 800 employees. In late 1988, I sold it and came to the States to retire . After a few years, however, as a member of First Orlando, I spoke to Pastor [Jim] Henry and told him that I wanted my life to make a difference, and shared with him something of my ministry and business in the UK. He very quickly got me involved in the life of the church and eventually I became part of the staff. He was a huge part of me getting back into the Lord’s work.
What do you like most about your job?
I have done several tasks here at First Orlando, such as Education Minister to Seniors, Men’s Minister, and now the Prayer, Hope, Health and Healing Ministry. I love people and love seeing lives change. My new role is challenging for it calls on me to launch a brand new ministry under Pastor David Uth’s direction — that of mobilizing and helping our members to pray and minister to those in need. It will certainly be a rewarding and exciting time to see how the Lord leads us.
Do you have a philosophy of ministry?
I’ve always believed in the “power of one.” Over the years, God has placed individuals in my life that I have gotten to know, form relationships with and have had the opportunity to help. I’ve always been amazed at how one person could influence one life and how that life could influence many other lives. In my experience, I can point to many “ones” — one here, one there — who I’ve been able to minister to.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Actually, a whole chapter — Psalm 46. I’ve heard that the famous African pioneer, David Livingstone, read it every day of his life and it’s something I’ve adopted into my life. At the end, it says to “be still and know that I am God.” I love that.
What do you like to do with your free time?
I love playing golf and I love to read. I’m an avid reader. The only problem is that when I pick up a book, I can’t put it down. I also love collecting English teapots and English china. I’ve also been a stamp and coin collector.
If you weren’t a pastor, what would you be doing?
I’ve always desired to be a politician.
Is there something about you that people would be surprised to know?
I absolutely love France and go any time I get the chance.
What do you love most about this period of your life?
Now in my 60s, I’m busier now than I ever had been. When I was middle-aged, I burned out. I wasn’t away from the Lord, but I was under the impression that I had very little left to give, so I thought I could retire [at an early age]. But little did I know that the Lord never gives up on you and He sent Jim Henry into my life. Jim was the person who redirected me back into ministry.