Comments:
After graduating from Highlands, I graduated four years later with a B.A. from Howard Payne University, Brownwood, Texas. I then moved to Fort Worth earning a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. While in college I was President of the Baptist Student Union, member of "Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities," and voted "Outstanding Religious Education Major."
All of this is fine, but to tell you the truth the real accomplishment of my life was marrying the pride and joy of my life, my wife, Pat, even though she is a graduate of Robert E. Lee. During her time at Lee she was State Champion Typist in her junior year. Her interests were not sports so I am sure she was not in the stands when the basketball team played at Lee. We proudly have two daughters and one son who in turn have given us five wonderful grandchildren that "make our day."
Vocationally, I had the privilege of serving as a full-time pastor for 40 years until retirement. I pastored churches in Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. My last 15 years were spent as Senior Pastor of the the First Baptist Church, Paris, TN. Pastoring and preaching have been the passions of my life. Our worship services in Paris were broadcast on Charter Cable across western and middle Tennessee. I have been on 11 international mission trips to Brazil, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Venezuela, and London. I was President of the Tennessee Baptist Convention Executive Board and served as a Cooperative Program Consultant for the Tennessee Baptist Convention traveling the state promoting our mission causes and raising money for such. I am also currently serving as an Interim Pastor of the North Fork Baptist Church, Puryear, TN and formerly Mt. Carmel BC, Cleveland, TN, also Ooltewah BC, Ooltewah (Chattanooga), TN, and Whitwell BC, Whitwell, TN (became full-time pastor).
My wife, Pat, has worked for the last 15 years for the State of Tennessee Board of Paroles as a Board Member Administrative Assistant. Prior to this she served as Office Manager for the State of Mississippi Northern District District Attorney's Office, while I pastored First Baptist Church, Oxford, MS...go Rebels! We lived at the entrance to Ole Miss, but my two teams will always be Texas and Tennessee.
With the Hispanic influx throughout the south I can now enjoy the many Mexican food restaurants that we missed so much since leaving Texas in 1972. We have Mexican food at least three times a week...but not quite the Mex-Tex I crave.
My mother and father have passed away and my sister Linda Newhouse lives in Houston, TX.
I am a cancer survivor. God is good and all is well with me. I know He is in control. I am still able to carry on my ministry as an Interim Pastor and plan to as long as the Lord so allows.
God bless to all.
