How many churches have you served at?

5

How did you become a Christian?

I worked in Florida after WWII, and my uncle invited me to church. He taught a Wednesday night class. I liked the class and got baptized on a Wednesday night. Then I had to learn how to go to church on Sunday morning.

How long have you and Pat been married?
59 years

Tell me a funny story about life with Pat.

Where do I begin? There are so many!
I was a member of the Lions Club in Indiana. I was at a meeting one night and they introduced me to a new policeman in town. He said he had been wanting to meet me. Apparently, he had seen Pat speeding or running a red light, and he started following her in an unmarked car with his red lights on. She kept going until she got to a school with people around and then she pulled over. Her first words were, “Where’s your hat? How do I know you’re really a policeman?” She proceeded to tell him that if he was going to be stopping people in an unmarked car he needed to be in uniform. ... She didn’t get a ticket.

Does she ever get mad at your jokes about her cooking?

Very rarely.

I’ve heard she’s actually a good cook.

She is an excellent cook. It’s just she gets sidetracked with a phone call or gets on to something else and forgets all about cooking at times.

How long have you been at Harvester?

17 years in July

How old were you when you came to Harvester?

65 years old

What made you decide to come to Harvester?

I don’t really know... I knew Tom McGee and I had met Doyle Roth and had a high respect for him. Pat came out twice to check out the church.

Harvester was averaging around 200 people when you came and now runs about 3,300. In just a few words, how do you explain this?

It’s a God thing. I do practice principles of church growth, but I really believe it is a God thing.

What has surprised you about Harvester?

The flexibility of the congregation. I came from California and thought a Midwestern church might not be flexible. This group  at Harvester is flexible.

What do you see in the future for us?      

5,000 to 6,000 in attendance and a huge missions program

Any disappointments that you want to share?

Not really

How many sermons do you think you’ve preached in your lifetime?

Oh, too many to count.

You have a great memory. Do you have tips on keeping your mind sharp?

Oh, I don’t know. I do remember a lot of things by association.
I won’t think I remember anything about a certain church, and then when I get there and meet a few people, I’ll remember names and different things about them.

What are your plans post-Harvester?

I'll continue to work with the small church. I’ll also be helping Bob Russell do some mentoring.

Do you really not like to get hugs?

Not much.