Worship & Discipleship Pastor

How did you come to Jesus?
I was blessed to be born into a Christian family who always went to church. At the age of 9, I asked my mother if Jesus could have turned off the pain when He was crucified. She said " yes, He could have, but He didn't because He loves you. " That began my journey to salvation which occurred on a Sunday evening later that year.

How/Why did you join FBC Bethalto?
The church called me as their Associate Pastor for Worship and Discipleship. As a part of accepting that call my family and I joined the church.

What excites you the most about FBC Bethalto?
What excites me the most is the people. I am honored to be a part of a Christian fellowship that gets it. They understand that the church is focused on discovering and meeting the needs of the families in our community, and through those ministries, introducing the folks to the Lord.

What should people know about your role at FBC Bethalto?
My role is to serve the church by managing the worship and discipleship functions of the church. It is my job to recruit and train volunteers to support the worship ministry in the areas of instrumentalists, vocalists, sound technicians, and video technicians. In cooperation with volunteers, I plan worship music and other worship elements, conduct the choir, and oversee the planning and implementation of the worship services.

As for discipleship, I am responsible to maintain doctrinal integrity and excellence in our Bible study and Christian growth programs. Along with an army of volunteers, we provide meaningful, life-changing Bible study fellowship experiences for everyone from birth through senior adults.

What brings you joy outside of your work?
The greatest joy I have outside my work is my relationship with my wife and family. Laura and I have been together since high school, and have been married for over 35 years. Our favorite non-church activity is traveling. We've been blessed to visit many places both on mission trips and vacations. We treasure and enjoy our time together very much. We also enjoy time with our children and grandchildren.

Education/Experiences?
I hold a bachelor's degree in music education from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master's degree in Religious Education from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. I also served 4 years in the US Air Force as a Bandsman and vocalist. These along with the privilege of serving in local churches have contributed to my on-going education.