Senior Pastor
I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 1985 with a BA in Broadcasting and Minor in Religion and Philosophy. It served me well when I worked in radio at Danville, KY for ten years and only mentioned Descartes or Augustine twice.
Completing my Master of Divinity and Doctorate at Southern Seminary in 1988 and 1996, my ministry was greatly impacted by the faculty of those years and their influence permeates to this day.
I have served as Senior Pastor in four churches over 40 years. Two of those were in my native Kentucky, the last being Shakertown Baptist Church. In 1991 we moved to Virginia to serve Historic North Pamunkey Baptist Church in Orange, County. It was exciting pastoring a church that was older than the oldest settlement in Kentucky (1774). I was called to Chatham Heights here in Martinsville in 2000 and have remained ever since.
I have been blessed to serve in Partnership Missions on various councils and mission boards through the BGAV and the CBF during my ministry in Virginia. These experiences have led me to realize that churches today must be courageous and innovative in a New World and Cultural Shifts. God speaks boldly when the world shifts quickly.
Blessed is the word to describe my life. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful wife, Susan, and two children, Sean & Sarah. In December 2024, I became a “Pop-Pop” for the first time. Collins Elizabeth (Born to Sarah and Alex Powell) has certainly brought smiles and energy to my “maturing years.”
Not long after moving to Martinsville, Susan and I discovered that God lives at the beach. Since then, we take a couple of trips each year so we can see and hear the waves and stick our “toes in the sand.” Being born in Kentucky, I am a permanent Wildcat fan, particularly in Basketball season. Growing up in the 70’s I am forever a Reds fan of baseball and acknowledge our best years are probably behind us, but I’ve remained faithful. Football is a lifelong passion and once again, I’m a hard- luck fan of the Miami Dolphins since Csonka rolled over a Defensive Back on my TV.
My personal hobbies are playing my guitars (too many guitars my wife would say) and reading when I can. Movies are likewise a great source of entertainment and sometimes revelation.
