Spiritual Background
I come from a long line of Church of Christ people. My great-grandfather Denton Collins and my grandfather Austin Matheny on my mother's side were both preachers. My great-grandfather Allen Hooper was an elder, my grandfather, Harry Hooper, a deacon, and my father, Bob Hooper, an elder. You might say that the Church of Christ is in my blood; however, I don't really fit the same mold. While I have a tremendous respect for my heritage, I also have an appreciation for some characteristics and methodologies that I see in other denominations. It is my desire to emphasize the strengths of my heritage, yet openly welcome and fellowship other points of view. I want to emphasize the restoration plea, "Christians only, but not the only Christians."

Hobbies and Interests
I love reading, hiking, listening to music, watching movies (especially epic historical-fiction), biking, playing basketball, and spending time with my family. I enjoy history, things Celtic and fantasy, and teaching teenagers and mentoring them in the ways of Jesus.

Favorite Scriptures & Authors
I love to read the books of Deuteronomy, Psalms, Ezekiel, and Mark. My favorite verse is found in Mark 8:34, "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’"

Some of my favorite authors include: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Helmut Thielicke, N.T. Wright, and John Stott. A favorite quote of mine comes from Bonhoeffer - "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Sounds a lot like my favorite quote in Mark, doesn't it? Denying oneself the comforts and luxuries of this world is a repugnant thought to most. But it is only in denying ourselves that we truly find meaning, hope, and salvation.