My time and energy is focused on being in prayer, in the Word, and being with people. Reading through a different translation of the Bible each year helps me to keep a fresh perspective on the Word of God. I enjoy reading, biking (one of my favorite places to ride is the Creeper Trail in VA. www.creepertrail.com), fly-fishing, and hiking or camping, but I'm passionate about Small groups, evangelism, and seeing people discover and employ their gifts.  For the most part I'm optimistic about the future of our movement; but I recognize as the world around us changes we need to be able to adapt our ministry to fulfil our Great Commission.

I fully agree with our Restoration Movement plea,"In the essentials unity, in the nonessentials liberty, in all things love." Being a Bible-based community that is Christ-centered and Spirit-led is how we best accomplish this!! Preaching in Illinois, Arkansas, and now in Tennessee has helped me to see "Church life" from several different perspectives. If the Northeast Church of Christ becomes a congregation known for #1. their love of God & each other, for #2. consistently reading His word, and #3. as a group that lives obediently and impacts this community like the Church did in Acts chapter Two, I will feel I have accomplished God's will for me.

God has blessed me with me a real passion for the Lost; I was completely unchurched until the age of 25.  I'm very aware of what life is like on the outside these "four walls..." Working in concrete for 10 years before full-time ministry helps me to appreciate the value of hard work.

Since my time at Harding University ( http://www.harding.edu/CAMT/ ), going through the former School of Biblical Studies and finishing with a B Min., I was blessed to finish two M.A.'s at Lincoln Christian Seminary ( http://www.lccs.edu). One in Christian Theology, where I majored in Apologetics, and the second M.A. was in General Ministry, where I majored in Preaching.  I have been interested in conflict resolution and have dedicated the last 2 years to intense study on this subject.  I read all I can get my hands on for this topic and I recently completed a 32 hour seminar led by Richard Blackburn that was very insightful ( http://www.lmpeacecenter.org/MSTI.html)

The highlight of my day is eating dinner with my family! My wife Tammy truly is the best friend I have, and she is absolutely invaluable for the ministry I try to do week-in-week-out. She is the best mom; our four boys are extremely blessed! Our family has seen life from both sides, and we're thankful for God calling us out of the darkness and into His light.