I believe that the Gospel can actually change people. That probably sounds cliché for the church, but I have seen it. Think with me just a moment on this: If God created you, then God can do something with your life. If the Gospel is the power of God to salvation, then the Gospel has the power to re-make you. For me, that is what the role of the church is to be; the vehicle through which the Gospel impacts everyday life.
My drive as a pastor is to see people realize the beauty of Christ in spite of the brokenness of this world. I am convinced that the Bible, God’s Holy Word, doesn’t just contain some helpful hints at life or some historical points of reference. The Bible is how God reveals Himself to us so that we can see that we need Him. We need His Son, Jesus Christ. We need the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only as we see what the Bible teaches us about ourselves and our sin that we can discover our need. That is why I am committed to seeing the Gospel change peoples lives.
I grew up in Tifton, GA as a church kid at Northside Baptist Church. I lived the good church life at church, but ran in some rough circles the rest of the week. Then I saw how great God was and understood that I needed Him. At fourteen, I gave my life to Christ and in the process saw that God was drawing me to preach. Two men became pillars for me during that time: my youth pastor, Robert Winter and (a couple of years later) our pastor, Fred Evers.
From Tifton, I went to Mercer University in Macon and received a degree in Christianity and served as a youth minister at a local church. The next step was seminary in Wake Forest at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary where my faith was stretched and my resolve to equip the church began to grow. I spent the following eight years serving churches in Anderson, South Carolina until God led us to First Baptist in June 2017.
Along the way, God placed Christi in my life. She graduated from Clemson and then went to SEBTS, where we met. We were married in 2007 and now have 3 kids. She makes me better at serving the church. In our spare time, we watch a lot of college football (I am pretty big on the Gators and Christi graduated from Clemson) and the Braves, spend lots of time in the back yard with the kids, and love going to Hilton Head Island. Time with her and the kids is most valuable to me as we desire for God to use our family for many generations.
Since being at FBC Fairburn, we have seen God’s hand continue to change lives. I would love an opportunity to see your family become part of our family as we reach Fairburn with the Gospel together.