Please share briefly about your faith journey.
From the time I was a small boy, my mother and dad took me to church. My mother’s love for Jesus was contagious. She remains to this day the greatest encourager I have ever known. As a 9-year-old, I made a profession of faith and was baptized at Brentwood Baptist Church in North Charleston.
It wasn’t long, however, until I knew that something about my profession wasn’t right. Over the next few years, I remained faithful in church but drifted away from the Lord. When I was 13, while we were members at First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant, my dad trusted Christ, and everything about our family changed. It became apparent to me that my dad was the real deal. His life was a stark contrast to my own. Because of his influence, as well as that of a committed Sunday school teacher and a soul-winning pastor, I gave my heart to Christ a year later.
While in college, I was privileged to work with Rev. William D. Connor, the pastor of First Baptist of Mt. Pleasant. What I learned from him in those two years I served as his youth pastor and associate was worth every bit as much as a seminary degree. I am so grateful to so many pastors in the Upstate as well as the Lowcountry who provided me with opportunities to preach in those early days.
Why are you open to being nominated for SCBC president?
A few times in the past, I have been asked to consider it but never felt inclined. This year, after being approached by a few friends, I agreed to at least pray about it. After several months of prayerfully considering it, my wife and I agreed that I should at least be open to the possibility. My prayer all along has been that the Lord’s will be done, whether elected or not.
What is your vision for our state convention? How can the president help effect change?
Hopefully, all of us agree our greatest need is to fulfill the Great Commission: to make disciples of the people of the earth. Our convention was born in an attempt to unite churches of like faith and order around that task. If we ever cease to see that as our reason to exist, or if we ever cease to be partners with each other in this enormous task, our days will be numbered. I am fearful both of those conditions exist to some degree.
Years ago, Bob Dale, at that time a professor at Southeastern Seminary, said in his book, “To Dream Again,” that after churches had been engaged in ministry for about 20 years, it was easy for them to forget about the dream that gave rise to their birth. He warned that if we weren’t careful, we would simply continue to oil the machinery without much thought as to why the machinery was put in place to begin with. Do our churches still have a fire to make disciples, or have we grown tired while ministering in a hostile environment that no longer appreciates the ministry of the church, resigning ourselves to keep the machinery in working order as long as we can?
Additionally, it appears to me that there is less and less desire for our churches to be joined together to accomplish this great task. As one reads Baptist history, it is obvious that there existed at one time a keen sense of family among our churches. Today I am fearful that this sense of family has turned to one of competitiveness and suspicion.
Can the president make a difference? Frankly, I don’t know. I am certain that he can’t do it alone. If I should be elected, with the help of people all across our state, I would endeavor to make a difference by attempting to keep the focus on discipleship and by finding concrete ways of bringing Baptists of all stripes together.
What is your favorite passage of Scripture, and why?
Choosing a favorite for me would depend upon what day you asked. My life’s ambition is summed up in 2 Timothy 2:2. When I am in need of encouragement, I love Psalm 27. And when I fail, as I so often do, I find comfort in 1 John 5:11-13, which assures me of my salvation and reminds me it rests not in my goodness but His grace.
Other than the Bible, what is your favorite book?
Again, this would be a tough call. Some are: “A Scandalous Freedom,” by Steve Brown; “Walk Across America,” by Peter Jenkins; “Fresh Wind/Fresh Fire,” by Jim Cymbala; and “Fire on the Mountain,” by Raymond Davis.
What book have you read recently?
“Killing Lincoln,” by Bill O’Reilly.
What are your hobbies?
Hanging out with my granddaughter, Scout, fishing, hunting and a little bit of golf.
What do you do for rest and renewal?
Get away with my wife for a few days.