Grace Family Church
Crawfordsville, Indiana 47933
765-365-5036

• Education: I attended Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie, Texas. That's where I learned the theory of ministry, met my lovely wife, and then left to discover that real ministry had very little in common with the books and practicums of education.
• Experience: I have been in ministry since I was a senior in High School, but I first held credentials with Assemblies of God beginning in 1994. I've served as senior pastor of four small churches, been on staff of several other churches as youth pastor, associate pastor, worship pastor, and children's pastor. I chide that I've held every position in the church from the pulpit to the janitor's closet! But it's really true.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: I want you to take these sermons, add to them, edit them and make them your own. I was inspired when I wrote them and I want you to be inspired as you read them, but these outlines are just a bare bones that the sermon is wrapped around. Let the idea move you to speak under the unction of the Holy Spirit to minister effectively to your congregation!
• Sermon or series that made a difference: Probably my most popular and difference-making sermon series I've ever done is "The Temptations of this World" series. It truly looks at sin and gets down to the nitty-gritty on why men sin and how to overcome sin in our life forever. It's very powerful.
• One of my favorite illustrations: An historical hotel that had been built in the late 1800s was famous for their mineral baths up on the 13th floor. The tour guide told how they got the water up to the 13th floor before modern plumbing. An old mule used to operate a screw pump that took the water up as it walked around in a circle. She concluded that when the old mule was finally retired and put to pasture, it blindly walked in that same circle until the day it died. Though free, it never experienced that freedom! How like us.
• Family: I am happily married to my wonderful wife of 18 years, and father to our two rambunctious and sweet boys. We have a fantastic family dynamic and we love to laugh and have fun together!
• What my parents think of my sermons: My mom and dad are probably my biggest fans. They pastor their own church, but whenever I come home to visit, I am always asked to fill the pulpit for them. They even are faithful listeners to our church podcasts! Many people say I preach just like my mom, which is a great honor for me.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: My wife says she loves my preaching. I guess she does. She's been listening to them for nearly 20 years! But she's also a pretty harsh critic too. So any sermon she doesn't like--those notes get shredded or heavily edited before they get preached again!
• Best advice given to me about preaching: Preach the Word--not your opinion, or popular themes. Just preach the Word as the Spirit directs you and as you understand it. Never apologize for what it says. Anyone who has issue with that can take it up with the Author--not the messenger.
• Hobbies: I am a prolific writer, and love to read all kinds of stuff. I am a published author as a contributor to "The Benefit Package", a 30-day devotional from CrossRiverMedia Publishing. I am working on another devotional for small-church pastors that will also be released through CrossRiver. Between reading, writing, and pastoring, I have little time for much else. But above all, I love to just spend time with my family.
• If I could Preach one more time, I would say...: Tomorrow is not promised. None of us are immortal--yet. Today is the acceptable day of salvation! Don't wait another day, hour, or minute! Come to Jesus!
• Something funny that happened while preaching: In my first church, down in the heat of El Paso, Texas, it was hot and miserable. So we opened all the doors and windows and placed fans around to try and cool the building down. Our dog, Tessa, heard me preaching through those open windows and escaped from the fenced yard of the parsonage and proceeded to the front doors and down the aisle to stop at the altar; sitting on her haunches and tilt her head to listen to her master speak. I told the church that even the dog knew it needed salvation!
• What I want on my tombstone: This Space For Rent--Soon!