First Baptist Church
essexville, Michigan 48732
989-893-3539

• Education: Graduate of Baptist Bible College in PA. One class to finish Masters in Biblical Counseling through Trinity Bible College and Seminary.
• Experience: Pastor since 1977.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: It is God’s Word that is key. If you find help in communicating Hid Truth I am glad. Please study and check me out. Be sure you and I agree with God and then preach it from your heart. Edit with freedom and use what you can. Blessings on your ministry as you walk with the King.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: Actually - it was my Dad. A Baptist preacher and wonderful teacher. He taught me to love the Lord with all my heart and told me to be a Pastor only if I could do nothing else and be happy in God’s kingdom... I can do nothing else with joy!
• One of my favorite illustrations: The man who bought a tortured bird from a bully only to let him fly free. The bully was astonished at the mans actions. He explained to the bully that God buys us with the blood of Christ and sets us free. It is then our decision to be loyal to Him or to go our own way.
• Family: Married to my high school sweet heart, Patti. We have two grown sons. One a Lawyer and the other works with foster care ands behavior helps for children and adults. Both love the Lord. (Praise Him!)
• What my parents think of my sermons: They both enjoyed hearing me preach before they were promoted to the Glory of Heaven.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: She ’says’ she likes them. Ha! She preaches them back to me when I need to remedial training. I love her careful and loving direction and, on rare occasions, criticisms.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Anyone who listens has a perfect right to say; "So What?" i.e. What shoud I do with this information. I need to apply as well as give the facts of Scripture.
• Books that have had an impact: Mulnoma Press Critical Concern Series - all of them. Everything Spurgeon. Most John Piper books. On a secular note: Stephen Covey is interesting.
• Hobbies: Fly-fishing, like to tie my own flies. Carpentry and photography come in a close tie for second. I love to read and enjoy theology studies.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Love God - everything else will follow.
• Something funny that happened while preaching: Alram clock on the pulpit went off. My two sons denied any part but I was not convinced. A confession from one of my fun loving Deacons got them off the hook!
• What I want on my tombstone: He loved the Lord, his wife and family, his church. He fished.