How long have you served at Edenton Street?
I have been here twice. I was the associate pastor from 1984–1987, and returned in 2008 as the senior pastor.

What’s your favorite thing about working here? 
Most of what I do does not feel like work. I work with great people, have interesting conversations and never have two days that are alike. 

What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you here?
One Tuesday morning the entire church staff all “showed up” for our staff meeting wearing bow ties. Their ties were made of paper; mine is the real thing! Pictures available.

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in Richmond, Va.

Where did you go to school?
North Carolina Wesley College and Duke University.

How many children do you have?
Rochelle and I have three children (Helen, Chambliss and Madison), two sons-in-law (Scott and Owen), and two grandchildren (Grace and Sawyer).

Any pets?
My wife has a dog, Sophie. Occasionally, the dog is mine.

What is most important about your work at Edenton Street? What drives you? What is your passion?
From a young age I sensed God’s leading me to become a pastor. It is a privilege to walk with people as we ask hard questions and explore what it means to live as the people God created us to be. I am passionate about the work of listening for what God is trying to say and the possibility of being a bearer of good news. As the pastor, I have a bird’s-eye-view of what God is doing in the lives of people. Who wouldn’t want this job?

What two people have most influenced you?
One of them would be my paternal grandfather, who died before I was born. He was a doctor and in the early 1900s took his bride halfway around the world to be a missionary in Korea. The other person would be my grandmother, who willingly went with him.

What are your favorite books, movies or songs?
Given the choice between a book, a movie and a song, I will opt for the book. There are always several books on my desk, in my car and by my bed. Some are serious and others are fun.

How do you like to spend your free time?
Cooking for a crowd is my favorite “get-away.” There are some things I will cook more than once, but guests are likely to be served something I am trying for the first time.

If you weren’t a minister at Edenton Street, what would your profession be?
I thought about being a physician. God spoke to me through a “C-” in Chemistry.

What’s your favorite food?
If it has calories, I like it!

What do you order when you go to Starbucks?
I don’t have to order; they know what I want. I am there every morning.

What did your parents call you when you were in trouble?
It wasn’t what they called me that told me that I was in trouble. It was the volume!