I was 30 years old and farming a lot of acres in cotton (and careless weeds) when, on one particular day, I understood that I had only known "about" God and didn't really know Him.  And it was on that day that I committed myself to getting to know Him in any and every way possible.  Then, on another particular day, while I was plowing, making rounds on my 3294 Case tractor, I sensed His call to ministry. Years passed and God was faithful to place my family and me in situations that prepared all of us for the challenges of ministry.  We are grateful to the folks of every church that we have pastored for providing examples of living faith, lots of laughs, and warm friendship.  And our circle of friends continues to widen and deepen, still. My wife, Donna Sue, and I have been married since 1981.  We have two grown sons, two daughters-in-love, and five grandchildren, all of whom are actively involved in ministry in various ways.

I can truly say that there hasn’t been a time in my life where evidence of God’s providence can be witnessed, whether seen at the time or looking back. Growing up to the current day, He has always provided me with a church home to grow and nurture me in my walk. As a pastor’s kid, I was blessed to be raised by parents with solid foundations built on Christ. They were my role models that taught me to set my bearings to align and point my life towards Christ and His will. I can also attest to the Sunday school teachers, youth group volunteers, and other Jesus-loving people that God surrounded me with in different life seasons to help disciple me in my walk. So, to be called by Him to serve as youth pastor and a deacon at Gardendale Church is an unmeasurable blessing as I get to be a part of His kingdom work that so significantly affected my life. I grew up locally, in Andrews, Tx, where I learned to love the atmosphere and hospitality of West Texas. I attended college at Olivet Nazarene University, where I played football and majored in mechanical engineering. Most importantly in college, I met my wife, Maggie. Through my work career, we ended up moving back to West Texas where we started our family and have been blessed with our two boys. Life at home right now is full-speed, with a chaotic mixture of construction trucks, batman capes, a necessary large pantry supply, and crash-out toddler naps if we’re lucky. It is hard to consider myself a youth pastor rather than just another youth kid, enjoying the fun and fellowship as we grow further in our relationship with Christ. I am excited to see how God is growing and using both the youth group ministry and our Church!

I grew up as a preacher's kid and, in my teen years, lived up to every part of that stereotype.  God placed a calling on my life at a young age, and I ran far and fast from it until I couldn't run any further.  It wasn't until after the birth of my first child and a few hard life-lessons that I was brought to my knees and became truly and radically saved by Jesus.  I cried out to God and He met me right where I was and began to transform me - and, thank God, He isn't finished yet! I began leading worship and teaching music in elementary school seven years ago in Howard County and, no matter where geography takes my family, He seems to call me back to those two things: music ministry and education. My goal as a music minister is to use my gifts and talents to connect with the heart of God and reflect His glory - for without Him, I am nothing.  Worship is more than the songs we sing - it is a lifestyle.  Our expression of worship as followers of Christ should be evident in how we minister to the needs of our community and point others toward Him.  Our praise-and-worship song service is a corporate celebration of the mighty, faithful, powerful God that we serve and is filled with songs that span generations.  As we lift His name up, we become aware of His nearness.  When He is near, so is His healing and transforming power. By God's faithfulness and redemptive grace, I met, and eventually married, the man of my dreams in 2018.  We wed in August of 2020 we have happily made Gardendale our home. We have 2 beautiful daughters, a son and now, a son-in-law!

I was blessed to be raised by wonderful parents who taught me the love of Jesus from birth. He has been faithful, gracious and has blessed my life unimaginably ever since! I am married to the best guy around, Tucker, and have two divine daughters, Presley Raye and Oakley Paige. I have been involved in child care for 11 years and have been a certified elementary teacher for 7 of those. My passion has always been children's wellness and growth. In fact on my kindergarten "What will you be when you grow up?" assignment, I said "A mama". Teaching and mothering are the most fulfilling roles I have ever faced. I am honored to be able to share the Word to our precious children at Gardendale Church by facilitating classes, VBS and Awanas, with the help of our volunteers!