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I lived for the first thirty-one years of my life (except for a couple of summers in California) in Fort Worth, Texas. That's where I acquired my love for Mexican food and the Dallas Cowboys--Oh, and where I met my Lord and Savior.

I was raised in a Christian (Baptist) home by loving parents with two siblings. I attended Hardin-Simmons University (BA) in Abilene, Texas, and then went back to Fort Worth for seminary at the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div, Ph.D). While at seminary, God introduced me to Myra, and we began our journey together as husband and wife in 1993. Our son, John, joined the journey in 2002.

I call it a "journey" both metaphorically and literally. Myra, John, and I have been around. One of my favorite quotations is from St. Augustine: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." Well, I'm not finished reading, but now I'm on the chapter entitled, "Missouri." So far, it's been the best chapter yet.

It's been my pleasure to live and teach in colleges and seminaries in the Philippines, Oklahoma, and Canada. I've also enjoyed pastoring two churches in Arkansas and Missouri. Myra, whose specialty is children's ministry, has been at my side in both pastoring and teaching. John recently started his own journey outside of our home at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri.

In my heart, I am a teacher. I love to learn, and I love to help others understand. I think this is evident in my preaching. I love a good "sermon," but I also like to instruct along with the preaching. Of course, it helps when you've got such a good textbook--the Bible. Any Sunday you come to First Baptist Church, you will hear the word of God proclaimed from the pages of holy Scripture. Our invitation to all is in our slogan: "Come grow with us!"