What brought you to Wilshire and when?
An SMU scholarship for Charles brought us to Dallas in 1975. After visiting two other churches, we found Wilshire and visited. When singing the invitation hymn, we looked at each other and said, this is home.
Who was pastor when you joined?
Bruce McIver. He and Lawanna had a tremendous impact on our lives. Charles’s job took us to Amarillo in 1984 and then Houston in 1987. We returned to Dallas in 1989. We rejoined the same Sunday as George and Kim Mason at the beginning of their time at Wilshire.
What are some favorite memories?
When we first joined, there were no young adult classes, so we agreed to help start a class. We knocked on the doors of young adults who were new to the area or had visited Wilshire. Within one year, 25 people had joined our class! Many of those young adults provide leadership at Wilshire today. Another favorite memory is buying a 12-foot pew when the balcony of the Chapel was removed. It is now a 4-foot pew and has many fond memories as, over time, a length has been removed.
What ministries or staff members have impacted your life?
I was on staff twice. In 1993, I was hired as the receptionist. I had a mix of responsibilities, and each one brought a relationship with every person on the staff. I was interim preschool and children’s minister after Lois Harper retired in 1998. Rita Griffith, Jane Morgan, Deah McCoy and Mona Hagler joined me as preschool and children’s coordinators. I could not have done it without them! George guided me through my call to ministry. He helped me navigate the turmoil that surrounded my seminary choices, and his encouragement to take part in some of the residents’ activities helped me stay on the path of answering my call. It was a privilege hosting Darren decades ago and Timothy before his ministry at Emerywood. We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Timothy and Valerie back home where they belong!
Why have you stayed so long?
We came to Wilshire as young adults and we raised Jennifer, Elizabeth, David and Collin here. They are living their adult lives and raising their own children with God’s leadership. Charles and I have a place in the Columbarium. We’re not going anywhere!