Trinity Baptist Church
Lake Butler, Florida 32054
3864963196

• Education: I hold a bachelor of Pastoral Studies from Trinity Baptist College of Jacksonville, Florida.
• Experience: I have been in some type of ministry since January of 1993. I have traveled extensively throughout the United States and even occasionally abroad (England, Germany, Canada, and Mexico). I have ministered in both song and sermon for most of that time. I have been pastoring since July, 2001. In March 2008, at the age of 33, I suffered a major heart attack which left me with only 20% of my heart function. Through it all, God has proven faithful and has let me continue serving Him. Hallelujah!
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: I hope they are challenging, inspiring, refreshing, and encouraging. Maybe a few preachers will be able to use something I have written to help their people.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: I once heard a sermon by my mentor, Dr. Jim Brown, also from Arkansas. The title was "Disqualified for Service." It was a hard hitting sermon that left me determined that I would never be "disqualified for service!" Also, a major turning point in my life was the first stewardship series I heard him preach when I traveled with him for about 2 months. The idea of stewardship became more than just what I did with my money and began reaching into my entire life!
• Family: My wife’s name is Andrea Brown; her father is a full-time evangelist. We have three daughters--Emily (July 5, 1999), Abbey (November 19, 2000), and Alayna (July 3, 2008)--and two sons--Ethan (January 31, 2005) and Elijah (October 9, 2009). My father is not a preacher but is one of the best Christians I have ever known. My mother is also very strong in the Lord. They (Arnold and Barbara Stringer) live in Pine Bluff, AR.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My parents like the content of my preaching. They are from the old school Independent Baptist group. They think if a preacher has not gotten red in the face, spit on the first 5 pews, and named at least several sins directly, he has not really preached. I do not do too much of that! They view my preaching as teaching, which, to me, is really a compliment!
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: My wife thinks much like my parents. Her father preaches very forcefully and at times loudly. Most of the time his sermons are very long, but still enjoyable (He is one of my all-time favorite preachers). Sometimes I have the length, but lack the loudness. I try to remain humble and remember that God is not impressed with any person’s style, though man may be. I am just here to serve God to the best of my talents and abilities!
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Stand up, Speak up, and Shut Up! I took homiletics at college, like most of us. My homiletics course was intensely practical as taught by the pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, Tom Messer. It was full of advice. One phrase that has stuck with me is, "A sermon prepared in the mind, may reach the intellect, and a sermon prepared in the heart, may reach the emotions, but a sermon prepared in the life of a preacher reaches lives!
• Books that have had an impact: The book, Let’s Go Soulwinning, by Dr. Jack Hyles, first gave me a burden for lost souls. Every book I have ever read by Gordon MacDonald--Ordering Your Private World, Restoring Your Spiritual Passion, Rebuilding Your Broken World, There’s No Place Like Home, etc...--has been a big blessing and help to me in my inner life! The book, A Tale of Three Kings, caused me to take a hard look at the style of leadership under which I grew up.

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