First Baptist Church, Woodsfield
Woodsfield, Ohio 43793
(740) 472-1941

• Education: Undergrad from Dallas Baptist University (BA in biblical studies) Masters from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D. Min.)
• Experience: Began ministry at 16 years working with children in my home church. At Bloom Baptist church, I became a youth pastor at 20, interim pastor at 22, associate pastor at 23. (All at the same church) Went to college in Texas and found a church in which I worked with a Hispanic children’s ministry. Summer internship in West Virginia trying to plant a new church. (10 weeks to plant a new church? Ha!) Been in Delaware since 1999.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: All the insight that I have is from the Lord and not my own. I have no copyright on it. You don’t have to give me credit for it. Just don’t copy it verbatum. I cannot deliver a sermon adequitly enough unless it has been filter through my own life first. The people will be able to tell if you have copied a sermon or if the message has truly "lived" in your life first. Thatis the best way to deliver.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: I don’t want to sound "super spiritual" but to be honset, they all make a difference. God’s Word is just that powerful. I believe everytime we look into His word, it calls us, in one way or another, to be different than what we are. Continually molding us into the image of Christ.
• One of my favorite illustrations: Achieving holiness: One Thanksgiving, my brother in law asked his 4 yr old daughter to get him a drink from the counter in the kitchen. She had always taken joy in pleasing her father, so off she went. However, she was so small, she couldn’t reach the drink on the counter. She reached and struggled to no avail. Her father continued in his conversation and paid not attention to the problem she was having. She didn’t want to disappoint her father, but she was unable to do what he asked. I notice the situation and felt compassion. So, as she stretched for that drink, I came up behind her, lifted her up and gave her the ability to please her father. Application; The girl is us, the father is God, the drink is holiness and I humbly played the part of Jesus. He enables us to reach a holiness that God requires of us.
• Family: Been Married 11 years to the only woman in the world who would have put up with all that I put her through. (College, seminary, ministry and general stupidness) Adopted our first son in the fall 0f 2000. David was 5 when he came to live with us, 6 when we adopted him. Currently in the 2nd grade. Presently adopting a 3year old name Mikey. He is a little tank that gives his new older brother a run for his money.
• What my parents think of my sermons: My parents have since passed and were not able to hear me preach.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: That’s just it. She tells me what she really thinks! Sometimes it hurts, but she has always been the one to tell me of the faith she has in me to become a great preacher someday.
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Live in your sermon.
• Books that have had an impact: Jim Cymbala, "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire." Jim Cymbala, "Fresh Power." John Mac Arthur, "The Ultimate Priority: Worship."
• Hobbies: I like sports, football mostly. Use to play, now I just watch. Playing with my boys. Playstation. (I really a big kid)
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Non-christian audience: "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son that whosoever beleives in Him will not parish but have eternal life." Christian audience: "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength . . . and love your neighbor as yourself."
• Something funny that happened while preaching: While preaching to a small crowd, someone snapped my pitcure with the brightest flash I had ever seen.
• What I want on my tombstone: Pepperoni, hot peppers and italian sauage.