A native of Arkansas, I was born on February 14, 1948, in Booneville, Arkansas. My mother loved to tell the story of walking “miles through the snow” to reach the hospital for my arrival—although, as I later learned, it was closer to four blocks! Still, I’m sure it felt like miles at the time.

I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior in September 1957 and soon became a member of Bailey Hill Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where my faith was nurtured from a young age.

I graduated as part of the first senior class of Southside High School in Fort Smith in 1966. I went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree from West Ark Junior College, also in Fort Smith. From there, I attended Arkansas Tech University—proudly becoming an Arkansas Tech Wonder Boy—where I ran Cross Country and Track and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1970.

With a draft lottery number of four, I spent the next two years serving in the United States Army. During my time in the military, I finally said “yes” to the Lord’s call into ministry.

I enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, earning a Master of Divinity degree in 1977 and a Master of Religious Education degree in 1978. While attending seminary, I joined Gambrell Street Baptist Church—an important decision not only spiritually, but personally. It was here that I met Marcey Jo Wardlaw, who is affectionately known as the “better half.” We were married on January 12, 1979.

After seminary, I served as Pastor of Heron Drive Baptist Church in Lake Worth, Texas, for five years. I later spent two years working for the State of Texas auditing nursing homes, followed by a 25-year career with the Internal Revenue Service.

In 2016, I returned to Gambrell Street Baptist Church to serve as Administrator. I consider it a privilege to continue in this role today, sustained by the prayer support, kindness, and grace of our congregation—and above all, by the faithful guidance of the Lord.