When did you become a follower of Jesus Christ? On April 10, 1968, the Wednesday night before Easter, my pastor, Rev. Joe Boatwright, at the First Baptist Church of Mims, Florida, described in detail the things Jesus' experienced during His crucifixion. I was only 12, but I understood that Jesus did this as my substitute, and I prayed, "Father, since Your Son did this for me, there is nothing You cannot ask of me." During the next 3 months, I made several covenants with God, and publically responded to the call to Ministry. I actually knew then that I would one day be on mission in Sanford, even though I had only been there once in my life, and knew no one who lived there. That came about in 1999.
Describe your daily walk with the Lord. I consider the start of the day to be holy. I pray, standing, hands raised to God, and pray a paraphrased and expanded version of the Lord's model prayer, mingled with other Scriptures, and it is different every time. From there, it is my desire to be obedient at all times and to pursue further Prayer, Bible Study and Evangelism as I have opportunity while accomplishing my work in a way that is above reproach in the eyes of everyone who might have a interest in my life.
What does your position entail? All my responsibilities at FBC flow from the Church's stated mission "To be and to make disciples of Jesus Christ." Everything related to Worship and Music is where I am most responsible and engaged, but pastoral and teaching responsibilities are woven into my schedule. In addition to the two Sunday Worship services, and special events and services as needed. We have a great Choir, two Ensembles, two Instrumental Groups, and a Children's Music program.
What about your family? Karen and I were married on July 8, 1978. We have three sons, and I brag about them all the time. Almost every week something amazing happens to one of them and if you are around me for a few minutes, you'll probably hear about it. The oldest does Pro Audio in Nashville, the middle son is a world class Web Developer in Orlando, and the youngest recently placed in the top ten in two events at the statewide Florida Science Olympiad competition at UCF.
What is your education? I graduated from Winter Park High School in 1974, and lettered in Cross Country and Track all three years. (I attended 10th Grade at Titusville, and 11th Grade in Boca Raton). I held two school records for my age group for the mile and 2.5 mile races at Titusville. In 1980, I received my B.A. in Music from UCF as an applied voice major. Music theory and conducting were fascinating to me. In 1986, I received my Masters of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. My best subjects were Hebrew, Biblical Backgrounds and Faith Development.
What is your previous ministry experience? Prior to Seminary, I served the Baptist Campus Ministry in Central Florida, and directed Music and/or Youth ministries part-time in Windermere, Taft, Lake Hill, Winter Park, and Orlando. During and immediately after Seminary, I served as fulltime Minister of Music and Youth in Covington, Texas and in Lake Alfred, Florida. Prior to coming to FBC Sanford 11 years ago, I had served as Minister of Music at North Park Baptist Church in Orlando for 10 years.
What music and musicians do you like to listen to? The list of what I don't like would be much shorter. My favorite kind of Music is called "Program Music," and is most often encountered as movie scores. I love to sing Messianic praise songs, especially if they are partially in Hebrew. I play guitar, so Acoustic Alchemy is high up on my list. I grew up playing drums with all the old Rock groups, so when Christian Rock groups such as Petra became popular, I fit right in. If I have only a radio, I will check to see what Z88.3 or WPIO 89.3 are playing, and then go to the Light Jazz or Classical channels. My oldest son knows nearly all of the major contemporary Christian Artists. He keeps me informed on all kinds of things going on in the world of Contemporary Christian Music, and I sometimes get to go behind the scenes when he is with such groups as Casting Crowns. They're great!
What has the Lord been teaching you lately? The Worship Leaders Bible Study recently studied ACTS, while chasing down every included reference to the Old Testament. The result is amazing! Much of what the Disciples knew about Jesus from their personal experience was already recorded in the PSALMS and ISAIAH. They must have been in awe, just as I am, when I see all these connections. I am learning many things about Jesus that are only in the Old Testament. I am Pumped! We have just finished Isaiah, we are in Micah, next we go to Galatians and James. 2011 UPDATE: We have completed all of those, plus Ephesians, the Books of Kings, Jeremiah and Lamentations, and are now fully immersed in the Book of Romans.
Miscellaneous Favorites:
Restaurant: Longhorn Steak House
Movie: Shadowlands
Ideal place to live: Israel
Vacation Destination: North Carolina
Hobbies: Astronomy, Science, History, Global News
Please visit my 'Christian living' website (May 2009) www.deadright.net
I am currently studying Astronomy and Internet Research at SSC, and will soon be working on my new website: www.rcwuniverse.net. The subject is Christian Cosmology, from a personal perspective. |
