Hometown: Jetmore, Kansas;
Present City: Dallas;
Education: University of Kansas;
Profession: Consultant and writer;
Tell us about your family.
Jeanne and I have been married 38 years. Our three wonderful kids (Mary Lu, who works for the American Heart Association and is still active at Wilshire; Wilson, an Air Force captain and father of three; and Joel, an engineer in the space industry) all grew up at Wilshire.
How about your work or volunteer life?
I’ve had two great careers, one as a journalist and the other as an executive coach/consultant. These days I’m trying to retire. I continue to write and volunteer. I’m an ambassador with Giffords Gun Owners for Safety, which focuses on reducing firearm fatalities through education and reasonable legislation. I also mentor newly released felons through the Prison Entrepreneurship Program.
Any favorite hobbies?
Tennis, bird-hunting, fishing, reading, traveling.
What are your favorite places to travel?
The last new place I discover. I’m fortunate to have had a career that allowed me to explore the world — from Tokyo to Berlin, Spain to South Africa. That said, I find wandering in the Rockies or across the Great Plains best for repairing one’s soul.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
Wilshire was recommended by a Jewish friend almost 30 years ago. We found it welcoming, kid-friendly, and spiritually fulfilling, and have never looked back.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
We’re long-time Epiphany Class members. I occasionally teach Sunday School and try to stay involved in mission and advocacy work.
What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
How it has evolved spiritually and culturally. Also, the miracles Darren has worked in the “basement,” transforming generations of kids, including ours, into spiritual, giving, thinking adults.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
Given I’m in life’s “fourth quarter,” I believe God expects me to start letting go of the material stuff and focus on giving back, be it through the church, volunteering or my writing.
Tell us about your faith journey.
It’s been circuitous, at times dark and treacherous. I was born a Baptist, grew up Presbyterian, became a Catholic, then Presbyterian, then full- circle back to Baptist, where finally I feel at home and at peace. For all the gory details, read my recent novel, Resurrecting St. John the Baptist.
What’s something interesting most people would not know about you?
I’ve been baptized three times: sprinkled, splashed, immersed — a “holy hat trick” of sorts, although I’ve always believed the first took and others were mere denominational initiation rites.
What adjectives best describe you?
I’ll let others be the judge of that …
*If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire feature, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)