What does your job involve?
My team and I partner with parents and volunteers to transform children into spiritual champions. We do that by coordinating children’s LIFE Groups, camps, Vacation Bible School, parenting classes and other strategic events.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Lubbock, Texas, and raised in Midland, Texas. My dad was in the oil industry, so we moved around a lot, but Midland was home base.
How large is the family you grew up in?
Just my parents and my younger brother, Michael.
When and how did you come to know Christ?
By the time I was 8 years old, God had been working in me for quite some time. We went to this little church in Iraan, Texas, which had a population of about 940. Even though I was just 8 and hadn’t broken a ton of God’s laws, I knew that if I had broken one, it was enough. I realized for several weeks that something in my life was missing, but I didn’t know what that was. So, I started going to church quite a bit, thinking that they must have the answer. One Sunday night, I showed up for something we called Training Union. I was the only person there under about 75 years old. All the people there were watching me thinking I was going to get into something. Of course, they didn’t have a training class for 8 year olds, so I went out and sat on the steps of the church dejected. While I was sitting there, one of the deacons came out of his class and sat down with me. I told him why I was there and how I felt that something was missing. So, he told me about Jesus, showed me around the church — the pastor’s office, the library, the baptistry — and how it all fit together. We then went back to the steps and he led me to Christ. I realized that Jesus was what I was missing and what I needed all along.
What was the first job you ever had?
In 10th grade, I worked at Cappadonna’s Light Center, which was a light-fixture showroom. When you walked in the store, there were hundreds of light fixtures on the ceiling. My job was to climb up a 12-foot ladder hoisting these huge fixtures, balance on top of the ladder, and install them. It was very interesting work.
Where did you go to college?
I started out at Texas Tech University and went there for two years. I then transferred to Wayland Baptist University, where I got degrees in Marketing and Religious Education. I then went to Southwest Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where I got my Master’s Degree in Religious Education.
When and to whom did you marry?
I met Monica my first day at Wayland and we dated for the next two years. We got married in 1993.
How many children do you have?
Two, a boy and a girl.
How did you get into ministry?
I felt God calling me at age 15 when I was at a camp. Our youth minister made us attend a session called missionary hour. One day, we had some speakers from Africa. I decided that if they came across the world to share their story with us, the least I could do was listen. These people had pictures and items of all sorts from Africa and shared all kinds of stories. After that, I knew that God was working, that He was leading me to something. That’s the day I surrendered to the ministry. I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but I knew that the Lord had called me to ministry.
Have you ever done any long- or short-time ministry work in the U.S. or overseas?
During high school and college, I did a few mission trips around the country. I preached revivals in Idaho and Maine and had been to San Francisco and Mexico nine times. But my favorite trip of all was in October of 2007 when I went to Romania for two weeks. We worked with a ministry called the Ruth School, a school for gypsy kids. The gypsies are a distinct ethnic group spread all over Europe who are almost viewed as sub-citizens. We worked with the school and a Baptist church, helping them to be real strategic in reaching the gypsy population.
Where else have you served before coming to First Orlando?
I have been doing Children’s Ministry since 1993. I started out as an intern at First Baptist in Dallas during my seminary days and have served churches in Alabama, Missouri and Texas.
What brought you to First Orlando?
First and foremost, a sense that God was at work in the hearts and lives of people here. In February 2008, Jack Fiscus contacted me and we spent the next five months praying and exploring the possibility of us moving to Orlando. Ironically, I attended a conference here at First Orlando back in 1995 and as soon as I walked on the campus I said to myself “This is where I would love to be Children’s Pastor.” Funny how God works!
What was the turning point of your life?
The birth of our son John-David. It would take more space than I have here to share all the ways that God proved His faithfulness. Ask me sometime, I’d love to tell you the whole story.
What do you like most about your job?
I like everything about my job, especially when I see kids “get it,” when the light comes on and they understand who God is.
What is your favorite ministry moment?
One time I was at a summer camp for 4th, 5th and 6th graders and the Holy Spirit just moved among the kids. Seeing them really worship changed my philosophy about ministry. It showed me that kids really could “get it.”
What is your favorite Bible verse?
Jeremiah 29:11: “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ ”
What do you like to do with your free time?
Besides spending it with my wife and kids, I like playing golf and basketball.
If you weren’t a pastor what else would you be doing?
I would be developing a system of children’s camps in Eastern Europe. If I were older, I would run for Congress.