I Am Wilshire – Michael Moorhead.
Hometown: Lubbock
Education: BA in history, MA in English and doctoral work at Texas Tech University
Profession: Professor of English (retired), 49 years
Present city: Dallas
Tell us about your family.
I am married to Shaeron, and we have a daughter, Kathleen, who is deceased, and a son, Spencer. I have a younger brother, Greg, who is retired from teaching management at Arizona State University and lives north of Phoenix. Their children and grandchildren also live in the Phoenix area.
How about your work or volunteer life?
While teaching I actually enjoyed teaching grammar in my composition classes as well as poetry, especially 19th century British poetry, and 20th century American fiction. Most of my volunteer work is through Wilshire; at present or in the past I have been involved in Friday Friends, Adam’s Baskets, other short term mission projects, and the volunteer reception desk on Monday mornings.
What are your favorite hobbies?
I play golf twice a week, read a lot of fiction (and some theology), and ride my bike. I am playing more and better golf now that I am retired than when I was on the golf team at Texas Tech.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
We have traveled to Italy, London and New England. Lake Louise, north of Banff, is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
In 1972 we were looking for a church that replicated the spirit and theology of my home church in Lubbock, Second Baptist.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
I am an active deacon, assistant director of Compass Class, a mission volunteer, and served on committees in the past.
What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
Not much. I am pleased at our willingness to change and grow.
What do you think God is up to in your life?
God is teaching me things I should have learned a long time ago.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I’ve been in the Baptist church since my cradle roll days and at Wilshire since 1972, when Shaeron and I, along with several other couples, founded Compass — a mixed-gender class that planned our own curriculum, both still true today. We were first dismissively called Alternate Young Adult Department.
What’s something interesting most people wouldn’t know about you?
I was a math major in college until I discovered calculus was a foreign language.
What adjectives describe you?
Quiet and dependable.
If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire article, contact Carolyn Murray