CHURCH STAFF |
CHURCH STAFF |
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I would like to share with you some of my history.
Jane and I grew up in the Methodist Church. Jane grew up on a farm in
Robeson County and I spent my formative years in Durham, NC. Jane and
I met when we came to Fayetteville to attend Methodist College. In the
summer following my freshman year I was appointed as pastor of my first
church at age nineteen. I served appointments as a pastor in United
Methodist Churches for fifteen years and then fifteen years with the
Methodist Home for Children, in Family Therapy, Family Preservation/Family
Support and Church and Community Services.
Jane and I married in 1966 and are the parents of two grown children; Lisa and John. We are also the proud grandparents of three year old Amanda and one year old Megan. Jane and I have lead parent, marriage and family enrichment programs since the early 1970's. We are both graduates of Methodist College. Jane has been a teacher at J. W. Coon Elementary School for over twenty years and has been organist at Raeford UMC for six years. I earned my Masters of Divinity with a specialty in Christian Education, a Masters in Counseling, and a Doctor of Ministry Degree in marriage and family. I have ministered as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Family Life Educator as well as a certified marriage and family enrichment leader and faculty member of the William Glasser Institute. I have enjoyed being a presenter and keynote speaker at regional and national conferences for nearly 20 years. A special joy has been founding or organizing several area ministries through the years, including The Alms House in Hope Mills, CEPHAS: Christian Enrichment and Psychological Health Assurance System at Cumberland Hospital and Multicultural Family Resource Partnerships in Hoke and Sampson Counties. After fifteen years ministry with Methodist Home for Children, in July 2000 I found myself going through a major life transition due to an unexpected change in employment. In a reorganization of MHC, all three persons in the positions of Spiritual Formation, Church & Community were given a termination notice. With the elimination of all ministerial positions, I felt there was little reason to remain on staff since there were no job offers commensurate with my training, credentials or experience. Jane and I decided to create a new life of service built upon my Christian faith and working at those things which are most fulfilling in my life through a new ministry; The PEACE. We realized it would take two or three years to get this ministry going. That is why I was available to be appointed to St. Matthew's/Grace when Reverend Larry Patrick left the end of January 2001. I believe the opportunity to serve St. Matthew's/Grace is an ideal place to fulfill what I consider the ministry to which God has called me. |
