My father worked for U. S. Gypsum and moved frequently between their facilities in Saltville and Norfolk, VA. I was born in Norfolk, and my mother was a stay-at-home mom raising four children. Although the first six years of my life was spent in Norfolk, my dad’s company transferred him to Saltville and I became a country boy in the short time we lived there.  When I was eight, we moved to Dayton, Ohio, where my dad accepted a job with Dayton Tire and Rubber (Firestone).

At the age of ten my parents separated and shortly after that divorced. I lived in a house with three sisters and my mom. My adolescent years were very difficult. My mom struggled to find jobs to make ends meet with only an eighth grade education. She managed for seven years and then we moved back to Virginia where she had support from family. Saltville once again became my home town.

I was born and partially raised in Ozark County Missouri. After graduating from Central High in Springfield, Missouri, I moved back to Houston, Texas, where I had also been partially raised, to attend the University of Houston. An old friend invited me to the Broadway congregation, where, I met the love of my life, Janyth Elaine Pringle. We married on June 12, 1964. In February 1969 we moved to Lubbock, Texas where I attended the Sunset School of Preaching, now known as Sunset International Bible Institute. Upon graduating in 1971, we moved to Kentucky where I served as minister at the Horse Cave congregation and associate minister for Columbia Avenue in Glasgow. In October 1973 we moved to Kingsport where I served as minister to the Colonial Heights congregation. In 1981 I stepped out of the pulpit, but we didn’t want to leave the area and the people, so I went into secular work, and we continued to worship at Colonial Heights. In 1990 we made the move to Northeast mainly for the strong youth program. I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve as one of the elders here. I guess my biggest soapbox is unity in love. This is what Jesus prayed for and said that is what we should be known for. May we learn to look beyond the imperfections of each other and love each other because Christ loves each of us. Only then will it be known that we are His disciples; because we have love for each other. May we respond to Paul’s admonition in Ephesians 4:1-3: "Live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

I was born in Salina, Kansas and lived in many places (California, Maine, Georgia, Spain, Germany, Florida, Texas, and Colorado) before moving to Tennessee. I attended Abilene Christian University where I met and married my wife, Lo. I have a law degree from the University of Florida and in 1990 took a position in the Legal Department at Eastman. We have four children and one granddaughter. Ephesians 4:11-13 is my inspiration for service as an elder. 

Nanette and I were both born in North Carolina.  Nanette was born in Eden, while I was born in the small town of Danbury.  While these towns were only an hour apart, we would not meet until much later in life. My parents were tobacco farmers on a small, self-sufficient farm. The expectations were to pitch in and work hard.  Going to school was a good way to get away from the farm.  My parents were active in the North View Primitive Baptist Church, though they stopped attending when I was in middle school.  After becoming active in the youth group of King Church of Christ, I became a Christian at the age of 16.

Nanette’s father became a minister after he had five daughters.  She spent most of her early life at Johnson Bible College in Knoxville and at a number of churches where her father served as the minister.

My wife, Liz, and I were both born in Tennessee and raised n Miami, Fla.  We moved to Kingsport from San Diego, California in 1962 and raised our three daughters here.  I am presently retired, first from what is now Eastman Chemical Company and then from independent consulting.

I was blessed to grow up in Pensacola, Florida with parents who daily demonstrated their love for God.  I went to Harding University and met a wonderful girl from Alaska named Pam.  I was more confident of our relationship destiny than she was. Patience won me a wonderful bride that I continue to delight in even after thirty years of marriage.   God has blessed us with three children – Erika, Jon, and Saundra.  We are indebted to all those who have helped influence their lives toward godliness.   We have been at Northeast since 1991 and feel so blessed to be part of this body.  It is an honor to be asked to serve as an elder.   I’ll close with a verse that remains one of my favorites, "The eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth seeking to strengthen the hearts of those fully committed to Him."  My prayer is for us to join together in presenting lives that reflect God’s tremendous investment in us.