What does your job involve?
I work alongside some wonderful pastors in an area called Pastoral Care. We provide emotional and spiritual support to those dealing with illnesses or in times of grief.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Oak Hill, West Virginia, where my dad was a United Methodist minister. We traveled all over the state and I lived in about five cities until I left West Virginia when I was 28.
How large is the family you grew up in?
Just me; I’m an only child. Both my parents are now in heaven.
Where and how did you come to know Christ?
I came to Christ on November 15, 1987, when I was 27 years old. I was in a small church in Barboursville, West Virginia, where my father was preaching the sermon and my mother was playing the organ and I was running the sound system that morning. From the time my dad stood up to preach, I knew that it was my morning. I had gone to the altar earlier when I was younger, but it was not a life-changing experience. But it was at this time that Christ took control of my life.
What was the first job you ever had?
I worked for Acme supermarkets in Beckley, West Virginia, when I was 15 or 16. I worked in the meat department. I lugged around heavy boxes and made hamburger.
Where did you go to college?
I went to West Virginia Wesleyan, a small liberal arts college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. I received my Master’s of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in May 2010.
When and to whom did you marry?
I married Kathy Emond in 1988. We met in Charleston, West Virginia. We used to share the same parking lot. She was a dental assistant and I was working in a bank. We would always say “good morning” to each other and she finally asked me out.
How many children do you have?
I have two sons, and two grandchildren.
How did you get into ministry?
It was a real slow process. I’ve known since my early 20s that this is what I was supposed to be doing, but I avoided the call for many years. But in 2001, as my dad was dying, it became very obvious that there was a part of me that was supposed to be carrying on the things that he was unable to complete. That’s when I knew what direction I was supposed to be going in.
So what were you doing most of your years after college?
I spent 7 years working in the Banking Industry in West Virginia after graduation from college. Once we moved to Orlando in 1988 so that my wife could be nearer her parents, I spent the next 18 years at Disney working in the financial area. I started in 1989 right after our family moved to Orlando.
How did you make the move from Disney to First Orlando?
It really began with simple obedience. While working at Disney, I obeyed a call to the ministry that brought me to New Orleans Baptist Seminary while continuing to work at Disney full-time. And then one February morning in 2007, Pastor Jimmy Knott approached me and asked, “Are you still at Disney and attending seminary?” I told him yes. He said that he was getting ready to fulfill a dream he had regarding an intern program here at the church that was made possible through the generosity of one of our members. He then asked me if I would be interested in doing an internship. I was. I didn’t know if it was financially feasible, but Kathy and I looked at it together and it was doable. That’s what set the wheels in motion. I never would have dreamed that it would turn into a full-time position here. I obeyed by stepping out on faith and thought that when I finished the internship, I would either go back to Disney or end up at another church with the full support of this body of believers. I just never dreamed I would end up here on staff.
What was the turning point of your life?
The death of Len Bias. He was a basketball player for the University of Maryland and the second pick of the 1986 NBA draft. (He died on June 19, 1986, of a fatal cardiac arrhythmia resulting from a cocaine overdose less than 48 hours after being selected by the Boston Celtics.) The reason I say that is because, to be very honest, I was struggling with the very same things that killed Len Bias. When he died — and the way in which he died and the quickness in which he died — it really affected me. I never did a drug again after that day. I knew that if it could happen to Len Bias, my idol, then it could happen to me. Within a year after that event, I was saved. Another turning point was when golfer Payne Stewart died in 1999. (Payne was three years older than me) He was about my age when he died. It really made me think about the brevity of life. I will never forget where I was that day as the news began to come in over the radio about the situation that day. It made me think, “What am I doing with my life?” I really wanted to make the rest of my life count.
What do you like most about your job?
Right now, I like the fact that it’s all brand new. It’s really teaching me to rely on God a whole lot more than I ever had to because I simply don’t know many of the answers in what I am doing. However, I am working in a ministry position that fits my spiritual gifts, and that is very comforting to know I am doing what God called me to do. What I do know, though, is I have a real burden for people who I know are just sitting out there in the church and don’t feel like they’re a part of it because no one bothered to say “hello” to them. I know many of these people eventually need to walk down the aisle and make some type of commitment, but once they do, I want to be that personal “touch” that will work with them until they get plugged in.
What is your most memorable moment in ministry?
Of course, I haven’t been in it very long, but just being asked to stay on here after my internship expired was amazing. It was huge, and an answer to many prayers.
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Romans 8:38-39: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What do you like to do with your free time?
I like to play golf and raquetball, and enjoy spending time with my family.
If you weren’t on staff here, what would you be doing?
I’d be at Disney. I actually still work there one day a month.
Is there something about you people would be surprised to learn?
For one thing, I come from five generations of pastors. The other thing is that when we were on a cruise in 1986, I won the Carnival blackjack championship. Of course, let me emphasize that was in another place in time for me.
What brought you to First Orlando?
Back in the early 1990s, we started coming here because of the Sunday night service. I was working Sunday days at Disney, and we needed a place to attend. When we saw that First Orlando had Sunday night services, we decided to come. We’ve been here ever since.