Biography

I am a native of Arkansas who has transplanted himself in Utah. I have been the preaching minister for the Southside Church since 1993. I received my B.A. in Bible from Harding University in 1980. I received my M.S. in Bible from Abilene Christian University in 1996. I am married and have three beautiful daughters. I would love for you to come and visit us some time! The other thing I love – is seeing new faces in worship!

Spiritual Background

I was nurtured in my faith by my parents who took the idea of discipleship seriously. We just didn't "go to church" but lived our faith on a daily basis. I was baptized at Camp Wyldewood in Arkansas when I was a teen. I preached my first "sermon" when I was twelve. I always felt the call to be a full-time minister. My mother tells the story of the time when I was about the age of five that I told the minister that I would have his job one day!

During my time at Harding University is when I really became a disciple. Men like Jim Woodruff, Jerry Jones and Jimmy Allen introduced me to this man named Jesus. Up until that time, my focus was on the church. I preached at the Griffithville Church of Christ all four years while at Harding. I was also in a group called "The Conquerors" which held youth rallies all over the south.

My journey took me to Fort Collins, CO following my graduation from college. From there I wandered in the desert spending five years in El Paso,Texas. Then God sent me to Abilene,Texas where I connected with the Southside church and helped them with their VBS for three summers. We moved to Salt Lake City, and I became Southside's first full-time minister in 1993 fullfilling a dream of being a minister in the northwest.

Hobbies and Interests

I love to read, draw, watch movies (especially sports movies), visit Mayberry when I can, and play the banjo. I enjoy conveying the Message of Jesus in innovative and creative ways. I am an avid Razorbacks fan – but have also adopted the University of Utah Utes as my home team! I love all kinds of music, but my favorites are contemporary Christian and bluegrass (Hey, you can take the boy out of Arkansas; but you can't take Arkansas out of the boy!).

Favorite Scriptures

One of my favorite verses is Matthew 20:28, "For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many" because it captures what I really want to be - one who is a servant. Jerry Jones, one my spiritual mentors always told us preaching students, "Men, you will always be out done, but never be outworked as ministers!"

My favorite "book" (well, it's not a book - it's a letter) is Colossians. Man, Paul has some great ideas about Jesus that he shares with the church in the city of Colossee.