I was born on June 19, 1965 in Damascus, Virginia. I was raised into a lower middle class family by a loving father and mother. In the early years of childhood, Mom took me and my two brothers to church. Dad never attended until the last four of five years of his life. My mom stopped attending church when I was around 12 or 13 years old. After that, until I could drive, my dear Aunt Ellen took me to church.

I gave my life to Jesus when I was 12 years old. It was during a week-long Revival that I surrendered my life to Christ. I remember the wooing of God on the first night but resisted walking the aisle and saying "yes" to Jesus. All week long the convicting hand of God only got stronger. Finally, on Friday night, I along with four of my friends, invited Jesus Christ to be Savior of my life.

At the time, peace came into my life, mostly because I now had fire protection from Hell. I was raised in church so there was not a big change in the way I lived. I grew up in Sunday School so I knew all of the Bible stories and major themes in scripture that a twelve year old could understand. It was shortly after my conversion that I was baptized. Initially I was sprinkled as the Methodist Church honored that tradition. It was a short time later, that I was able to be baptized in the river just a mile or two from my church.

I always wanted to go to church. I was very active in youth group and had three aunts who helped to lead our group. As I grew older and graduated high school, I began to help with leading youth group. I sensed a strong to call to enter ministry, although I had such a passion to become a math teacher. In the Methodist Church, there were opportunities to explore your call by being assigned a mentor. I remember my first year in college having meetings with this pastor/mentor who helped me discern God’s leading in my life. 

In the end, I decided to pursue a career in teaching. I knew that I could continue leading our youth group and was fulfilled at the success of that ministry. We had started a Camp ministry and we were seeing several youth saved each summer. It was such an exciting time. I finished my Bachelor’s Degree in Math Education at Emory and Henry College in 1987.

That Fall, I landed my first teaching position. I thought my career was set. Our paths are not always God’s path. I believe he often shines just enough light on our path for a few steps ahead. I remember as I was growing in the Lord, that I was taking on more and more leadership positions in our church. I was very young, but it was evident that God’s hand was on me.

At the age of 26, I sensed that God was calling me to become an evangelist. This was a very unusual move in the United Methodist Church. Although I was not approved by anyone other than God, I sent out letters in a two hour radius letting churches know I was available to preach revivals.

It was at my second revival that I was asked to take over a church as their pastor. I was 27 years old, teaching full-time. The pastor was working a full-time job and pastoring three churches. It was just too much for him. Immediately when I was asked, I wanted to say yes, but I knew that God had to call my wife, Susie, as well. For three months, I waited on God,… and Susie. She eventually surrendered, knowing that God was calling me into ministry.

The first church I pastored was Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church. What a beautiful time in ministry! I was surrounded by a small group of believers who truly loved the Lord. They were workers and were chomping at the bit to do more in the church and
community. At the time, the church had no running water, which meant we had outdoor toilets. When I arrived, the water utility was bringing water up the valley. It was during this time that the church made a bold move to add on to the church by building additional classroom space and indoor bathrooms.

In the early years, I was full of ideas. Always a dreamer, the Lord inspired me to begin a van ministry. I asked the leadership of the church if they would be interested in purchasing a van. The did not see they need, but I was sure God had called for a van ministry. I remember telling Susie that we could take our $1500 of savings and
purchase a van. So I began looking.

Shortly thereafter, while working on my Master’s Degree, I found an old work van that had no seats for $600. Even without driving it, I knew that God had given me the van. It fit into my small budget so it had to be the vehicle. I began looking for seats to accompany the van. My first call was to my best friend in high school, Willie McVey. He was running an auction company in Elizabethton. He told me that he did not have any van seats but he had something I needed to see. I remember the afternoon that I visited Willie. He walked me around to the side of his building to see a fully loaded 65 passenger school bus filled with socks. He explained that he had brought the socks and bus at the same time. As he sold all of the socks, he realized that he no longer needed the bus. He offered me the bus at no charge if I wanted it. I said yes! I will never forget pulling into the parking lot of the church with the bus. That week God taught me and the members of Cedar Bluff United Methodist Church to NEVER shortchange God.

The very first trip we made with the bus resulted in 22 riding the bus. God knew all along that a 15 passenger van would never be enough. I did not see it, but God did all the time. And that is the way ministry at Cedar Bluff worked. This small church who averaged 35 on a good Sunday exploded with growth. I remember pulling out metal seats up the aisle and around the altar. People would pull up to the church and leave because they could not find parking. What a wonderful time in ministry! The church wanted to build a new church but was landlocked. The neighbor offered to let them build on leased land but the Methodist Church would not allow the project to move forward with that model.

I remember God telling me that when we came to the point that we could not grow anymore that It would be time for me to leave. It did not make sense to me but I knew that God had spoken. I remember one night, while visiting an all-black church, the revival speaker called out two white guys sitting toward the middle to back part of the church. The lady, who was known as a prophetess, gave a word to Gordon and then myself. It was at that moment, that she told me two times in a row, what I needed to hear, that “now was not the time to worry about what everyone else would think and do what God said to do.” This word might be one that many would discard and not understand. But I knew what it meant. God was leading me to leave my beloved church and plant a new one.

Today, the Methodist church has split due to conservative and liberal stances. When I was pastor, even back then, there were major concerns related to the direction the denomination was taking related to same sex marriage. I knew that I would have to make a choice soon as I was very concerned about this issue. After the word from the prophetess, I was convinced that it was time to leave Cedar Bluff.

For five years, I was treated like a king. I was loved by everyone and I loved the people. I was young, and green but had so much enthusiasm. I was mentored by a great group of people who truly loved the Lord.

In 1999, One Way Ministries was planted. Along with Gordon Taylor and David Griffin, we set up shop at Bethel Schoolhouse. Lois Swann allowed us to move in rent free. We established a 501C-3 organization so we would be officially recognized as a non-profit organization. We enjoyed our stay at Bethel Schoolhouse for five glorious years. 

In time, it became clear that our future home would be in Damascus, Virginia. Although we, like the children of Israel heading to the Promised Land, had several stops along the way before finally reaching the current footprint we call One Way Ministries.

It continues to be a great journey!