Please share briefly about your faith journey.
I was saved at Mountain Grove Baptist Church during VBS in 1967. Jesus Christ made a difference in my life as a young boy. The Bible came alive to me throughout my young years, and I tried to memorize much of it. I strayed from the Lord for many years but could never get away from the realization of my salvation. After trying to shake the call to ministry and nearly losing all I had, including my family, I turned back to Christ in August 1984. I served him faithfully at Calvary Hill Baptist Church in Easley as deacon, teacher, youth worker and mission trip volunteer. In May 1985, God renewed the call to preach in my heart and I surrendered to that call. With a wife and two small children, I went back to school to prepare to serve the Lord. The Lord has allowed me to do, see and serve in ways and places I would have never dreamed. He has blessed me beyond measure. I am grateful to be saved by the grace of God and to be involved in his Kingdom’s work.
Why are you open to being nominated for SCBC president?
I am open to be nominated because of my belief in the work of Southern Baptists. I was raised as a South Carolina Baptist, but I decided to stay Southern Baptist as an adult and preacher because of my belief that we are very much New Testament in belief and practice and have the greatest mission and evangelism outreach of anyone.
What is your vision for our state convention? How can the president help effect change?
I believe the Cooperative Program is vital to our reaching the world for Christ and must be promoted unashamedly. I believe all churches can give at least 10 percent to the Cooperative Program and give to missions offerings sacrificially regardless of size, budget, building projects or church mission projects. I think we need a clear voice on who we have been, who we are and who we need to be in the future. I want to see our associations, state conventions and national convention unified with purpose, to giving and going to reach the world for Christ. As president, I would challenge all churches and pastors to get back to a cooperative spirit of working together in financial support and ministry. I would encourage all pastors, especially of larger churches, to be involved in their local associations. For our state and national conventions to be strong, our local associations must be strong. The Acts 1:8 call begins in our local area and expands from there. If we have a strong base in our own communities, our state convention work will be strong. Our SCBC churches must return to being the “hub” of our communities instead of a “spoke” of it. I think our greatest challenge is bringing all age groups together without criticizing the one we are not in. The president of the SCBC can help effect change by demonstrating these challenges through his church example and challenging others to do the same.
What are your thoughts on the report of the SCBC’s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force?
I think the GCR report is workable. I would like to see other avenues of sending more money to missions instead of cutting our agencies and institutions. As far as trustee selection, I see the need to bring in some [trustees] from outside to help promote and support our agencies and institutions better. We are bringing in students and others from other states and have folks who would be an asset to us on our boards. It is a small percentage of our boards, and they will be Southern Baptist. I think this speaks to our cooperative spirit in great ways. I think the downside of the report is so much change at one time. Most Baptists struggle with so much at one time. I want us to be careful that we don’t change just for the sake of change.
What is your favorite passage of Scripture, and why?
There are so many Scriptures that are my favorite, but my life verses are Proverbs 3:5-6. I always remind myself that it is not my understanding, emotions or knowledge that will make a difference in my life, it is His direction that makes a difference in my life as well as others.
Other than the Bible, what is your favorite book?
“Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God,” by Henry and Richard Blackaby. It, along with the original study years ago, transformed my thinking and ministry.
What book have you read most recently?
“The Pursuit of God,” by A.W. Tozer.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are riding my Harley-Davidson motorcycle, camping, target shooting and serving as chaplain and reserve deputy with Greenville County Sheriff’s Office.
What do you do to get away for rest and renewal?
I love camping with my wife in our travel trailer and taking trips on our Harley-Davidson motorcycle.