What brought you to Wilshire and when?
Judy and I came in August 1975, when we moved from Shawnee, Oklahoma, for me to attend law school at SMU. We visited a lot of churches before finding out Wilshire was close to our apartment. There were some boys playing football on the south lawn, and we thought it looked like a good place. When we visited the next Sunday, we sat in front of Fred and Clairene Herold, who were very friendly and invited us back. We left for five years while I pursued various jobs in Amarillo and Houston, but came back on George Mason’s first Sunday.
Who was pastor when you joined?
When we joined the first time, Bruce McIver was the pastor. George Mason was beginning his pastorate when we joined on his first Sunday night.
What was the building like?
When we joined in 1975, the building was a two-story education building and the current Sanctuary with the Chapel in its original configuration — with the pulpit at the back of the current Chapel and the entrance where the pulpit is now.
What are some favorite memories or defining moments?
One was the first capital campaign when I ran from the choir room before church to find Judy to change our pledge to a very challenging amount. It was more than we had ever given and changed our giving ever since. The second is a mission trip to Cairo, Egypt. That trip changed our involvement in missions and led to four more mission trips.
What’s one thing you’d like newer members to know about Wilshire history?
Probably the focus on missions and Wilshire’s openness to everyone.
What things are different and what has stayed the same?
The building and the people have changed over the years but the openness to everyone has stayed the same.
Why have you stayed so long?
We have stayed because of the love of the congregation for us and because it has always been a place where we could love everyone.