Consuming Christianity

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A little back ground

 I am 30 years of age.  Marriage to my best friend Kelli.  We have 2 kids, house, dog, and a stray cat that we feed from time to time.  I got my undergraduate degree at the University of Mobile, that’s were I met my wonderful wife.  I plan on starting graduate school at either Birmingham Theological Seminary or Grace Theology Seminary (online) in the fall of 08.  

I have been in ministry most of my Christian life, for better or worse.  However, much of ministry for me was ministering to students.  Then about 4 years ago I was able to work at the Waterfront Rescue Mission and served as Program Director.  This was more than just a ministry for me, it was a seminary in many ways.  I learned more in 3 years than I have in years past, and it has forever changed my worldview.  Grace ministries will always be a part of me.

In October of 07 Saraland Baptist Church (Mobile, AL) invited me to come and shepherd them as senior pastor.  It is a small church with big potential.  I am full-time and laboring with all my might to discipline myself and rightly divide the Word of Truth.

 Men that have influenced me in Ministry…

1. Doug Chappelle - He was my student minister who became my mentor as I served under him while interning at FBC Tillman’s Corner.  We don’t chat much anymore, but those chats we had during those days were life changing.  He helped me understand that it is not just a love for the ministry and Word, but I must love Christ in all these things,being subject to Him in humility,… and he demonstrated that by the way he lived.  We may differ in theology some, but he has always carried a godliness in his life that I could only hope to live out…!
2. Josh Rang- He was the student/adults minister at Dauphin Way BC and I served under him as the middle school guy.  He was a man full of wisdom, and practical ministries.  He had a gift of taking rich theology and conveying it into terms that even a five year old could understand… and was a great influence upon my life!
3. Chuck Finster- I served with Chuck while on staff at Dauphin Way BC as well.  He was the mentor that would always tell you just how it is…!  He wouldn’t pull any punches.  Good jobs got you encouragement, and stupid moves got you yet more encouragement (if you get my drift).  He taught me that there is an inmate need for truth in every situation and be prepared to give it and live it!  He helped me in many more ways!
4. Paul Meredith - I owe a dept to this man that I am not sure that I will ever be able to repay.  I am sure he would never think that he has gone out of his way to minister to me however, he has given me more practical wisdom to live by than any book one could ever read.  He has lived out his theology in times of suffering, joy, with pressing job matters, with hurt church issues, and in his family… a man I greatly admire!  I thank God for men like Paul Meredith who exemplify Christ in their lives!

Pastors/Theologians that Have influenced me…

1. Dr. Steven Lawson - I sat under this man for years.  He helped shape the way I understand Scripture, the way I value Scripture, and the way preach the Scriptures.  He gave to me the gem of Expository Preaching.  I remember going to church and hearing him for the first time… I did not know that men could preach like that.  I literally cried for the first two weeks that I sat under him.  I am not sure why, I was just so excited to hear this incredible man divide the Word of Truth before me!
2. Dr. John MacArthur - His books, sermons, and study Bible have been a constant guide for me for years.  He is a man full of Truth!
3. Dr. John Piper - His sermons and books have been my guide in preaching with passion, purity, and power!  I thank God for his passionate, evangelistic, and reformed doctrine.  It is a slap in the face of who are man-centered and self-serving!
4. Dr. R.C. Sproul- His books and lectures have been directing my understanding in reformed theology and Biblical living for years.  I am not Presbyterian, but it is not because Sproul has shown them to be unloving, cold, and apathetic.  In fact, anything but!  He is a genius and a gift to our time!
5. Dr. Mark Dever- I am just getting into Dr. Dever, but I am constantly falling in love with his writings, sermons, and methods of ministry.  He seems to embody the pastor/theologian that I desperately want to be.  Hence I trust his judgements of Scripture and am learning from him greatly.

Men that are Champions in the Faith (no longer living) that have influenced me…

I will add to this list at a later…