Hometown: Yoakum, Texas
Present City: Dallas
Education: Doctorate of Ministry from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary by way of Victoria College, TAMU, Baylor (BA, Religion) and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MDiv).
Tell us about your family.
In January Margaret and I will celebrate 50 years of marriage. We have two children and three grandchildren. We moved to Dallas to be near our daughter, Kristen, and her sons, Eric and Elliott, who attend Wilshire. Kristen is the director of Color Me Empowered, a nonprofit organization that provides art education for children. We live about three blocks from them in a wonderful Oak Cliff neighborhood. Justin, our son, is married to Lindsay, and they live in Los Angeles. They are both architects and are parents to our newest grandson, Alvie.
How about your work or volunteer life?
I was a pastor for 38 years, pastoring four churches, one of which was a new church start. I loved pastoring and helping people grow in their faith. One of my interests was active involvement in the communities where I served. I was on the board of a number of nonprofit organizations and was instrumental in starting several. I was a longtime member of Rotary and an adjunct professor of philosophy at Victoria College for 16 years. Also, beginning in seminary, I was active with the Christian Life Commission of the BGCT, which is how I met several Wilshire members, including George Mason and Joe Haag, whose Sunday School class we now attend.
What are your favorite places to travel?
I enjoy visiting with people, and my favorite place to travel is Los Angeles to see our kids there.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
God is showing me how broad and inclusive God’s love is, and I have a place to celebrate this understanding in the Wilshire community. I believe God is using me to encourage others who have Parkinson’s Disease.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I was blessed to grow up in the Christian faith with parents who were devoted to church and family. I was active in all aspects of church — I was not given a choice. For the most part, I enjoyed church life, but my Sunday School teachers didn’t always enjoy me. I was active in our youth group and served as a summer missionary in the Rio Grande Valley after my sophomore year in college.
What is something interesting most people would not know about you?
I did part-time work as an electrician for over 20 years, starting in my teens.