Ferris Christian Church
Ferris, Illinois 62336
(217) 746-3401

• Education: Bachelors of Bibilical Literature, 1990; Ozark Christian College; Joplin, MO
• One of my favorite illustrations: A New Orleans lawyer sought a FHA loan for a client. He was told the loan would be granted if he could prove satisfactory title to a parcel of property being offered as collateral. The title to the property dated back to 1803, which took the lawyer three months to track down. After sending the information to the FHA, he received the following reply: Upon review of your letter adjoining your client’s loan application, we note that the request is supported by an Abstract of Title. While we compliment the able manner in which you have prepared and presented the application, we must point out that you have only cleared title to the proposed collateral back to 1803. Before final approval can be accorded, it will be necessary to clear the title back to its origin. Annoyed, the lawyer responded as follows: As for conveyance, one of the most devastating replies to an inquisitive purchaser was made in response to persistent enquiries about the title prior to 1803 of certain land in Louisiana. Driven beyond the normal patience of conveyancers, the vendor’s lawyer is reputed ultimately to have answered thus: "Please be advised that in the year 1803 the United States of America acquired the territory of Louisiana from the Republic of France by purchase; the Republic of France had in turn acquired title from the Spanish Crown by conquest, the Spanish Crown having originally acquired title by virtue of the discoveries of one Christopher Columbus, a Genoese sailor, who had been duly authorised to embark upon his voyage of discovery by Isabella, Queen of Spain; Isabella, before granting such authority, had obtained the sanction of His Holiness the Pope; the Pope is the Vicar on earth of Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ is the son and heir apparent of God; God made Louisiana. NOW may we have our loan?" They got the loan.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Do your best to memorize your sermon and preach without notes as much as possible. Get out from behind the pulpit and communicate with the congregation.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: God is Faithful!
• What I want on my tombstone: A Far off date!!!