elders

I surrendered my life to Jesus when I was 9 years old while at a Christian Summer Camp in California. I’ve been married to my amazing and beautiful wife Joyce, who is truly a gift from God, since 1995. God has blessed us with 3 Children: Alyssa (2000), Nathan (2003) and Luke (2006).
God called me into ministry while I was attending college. I completed my Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of California San Diego in 1994. After graduation, I attended Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA and graduated with a Master of Divinity in 1998.
God called me first into hospital chaplaincy and then into pastoral ministry.
I have been serving as the Lead Pastor of Ridgeview Church since December of 2003. My passion in ministry is to help others come to know and love our LORD through the power of His Word. One of my life verses is John 8:31-32, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'”
I am the son of a coach and love just about every sport there is, especially basketball and football. When I have time for fun, I love to play sports, hike, fish, and travel.

I grew up in Royse City and went to work for Greenville Police Department in 1980, and later Rockwall PD in 1984. I met and married my wife, Janie, in 1982. We have been married for 37 years and have two children. Our daughter, Rachel, is a nurse, and she and her husband Jake have two sons - Warren and Jenkins. Our son, Preston, works for Chaney Paper, a company I have owned since 2000. I have been the elected Rockwall County Constable for Precinct 2 since 2012. Janie and I have been attending Ridgeview since 1990. Janie served with the worship team for over 20 years, and I taught 5th-6th grade boys for 5 years. I have served at Ridgeview as a Deacon and now as an Elder.

I accepted Christ as Lord and Savior in 1977 and experienced the life-transforming power of the Holy Spirit from the moment of salvation. Since then, I have dedicated myself to studying God’s Word and allowing Christ to grow me in my faith and character. I have served the Lord in various areas of ministry, such as 15 years on the Elder Board of a church in California, and overseeing the Adult Education and Small Group Ministry along with my wife during those years. I have also spent my Christian life teaching God’s Word, discipling those God has brought across my path, and raising up leaders. One of my favorite passages of Scripture is: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” Matthew 15:4-5

I was born again as a teenager, led by a pastor and evangelist to believe Rom 10:9,10.  I have served a SS teacher, led adult Bible study groups, and have preached on many occasions. My wife Shirley and I served in various ways in Ridgeview for 20 plus years before she was disabled by Alzheimers. I am the son of an Oklahoma share cropper (tenant farmer), arriving in Dallas in 1956. Spent my working years in manufacturing, operating my own business from 1975 to 2001.

My purpose as a member, and now as an Elder of Ridgeview is expressed in the song “On the Way Home”. Jack Green version, Youtube.                                                                                      
Chorus: On the way home, on the way home,
Its time to get started, on the way home,
Preacher talk about it, sing it in your song,
Get everybody started, on the way home.