Who’s in your family? My wife is Angel. She teaches fourth grade at Matthews Elementary. She’s taught there five years. We have a sophomore at Columbus High School, named Heather; and our older daughter, Brooke, is a freshman at Kennesaw State University.
How long have you been here? In September it’ll be 10 years. We moved from Lawrenceville, where I served for 9 1/2 years at First Baptist Church. That was my first church out of seminary.
Where did you go? Southern Seminary (in Louisville). I have a master’s in church music.
Are there cycles in your year, like an academic calendar, that are busier than others? Yes, we have a big kickoff in August when the school year starts, and I’ll start introducing Christmas music then. Around November or December, I’ll start listening for Easter music and we’ll start with that in January. This year we may do a cantata in May. I’ve always wanted to do something different, where you don’t get in a rut. One thing special we do every other year is Keyboards at Christmas, and Janie Lee Bullock directs that. Next Christmas I’m looking at a program called “Christmas Around the World,” where we’d have music from other countries.
What are the choirs you have? Adult choir, an ensemble, a men’s ensemble, ladies’ ensemble, a quartet and a youth choir. I also oversee the children and preschool choirs and handbells.
What do you think music brings to worship? Music is an opportunity for the entire church body to physically participate in worship. You always hear about angels singing, but there is no scripture reference to them singing; it says they proclaim. Is music something God gave us? Probably. Through music, we have a responsibility to lift God’s name.
Did you always know you wanted to lead church music? It was a process. There was a lady who was a missionary from my home church and one time she spoke and I felt this special calling. I was 20. I had been singing in groups, and I played mandolin in a gospel bluegrass band and sang with a contemporary Christian group. It evolved. I was going to school at the University of Kentucky. I started out in computer science and needed to do something to prepare for ministry so I transferred to Cumberland College, which is now University of the Cumberlands.
What is something you’re never without? My faith. Everywhere I go, everything I do — from my relationship with my wife and children — hopefully reflects my love for God.
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