Dad, someone asked me recently what growing up as a preacher’s kid was like. And, interestingly, the first thing that came to my mind was the transformation of you. Watching you go from young, sometimes overly sensitive, easily aggravated evangelist, to a true pastor who was thoughtful with a rich prayer life and a tenderness that your own life journey developed. I was honestly shocked that that was what came to my mind. But watching that journey for you has been a gift to me. You too were a preacher’s kid, what was that like for you?

Growing up as a preacher’s kid was wonderful.  It made me love going to church because that was all I knew.  I started singing in church at an early age and I loved it.  Even though my dad was very strict on the older children regarding activities like ball games, etc, he was more lax where I was concerned since I was the next to youngest child.  Church was my life and, being a preachers kid, I didn’t think I was different from anybody else.

When did you feel the shift in your own heart from evangelist to pastor?

I had to pray consistently for the heart of a shepherd. Your mom made up for so much of my lack.  For many years in pastoring I could still be harsh and lacking compassion towards people.  It was only after a personal breaking that I felt I became a true pastor and learned​ when to be tough and when to be tender.

What do you think are some of the greatest struggles of pastors today?

​I think ​staying focused on what your primary calling is​, especially ​when so much competes for your time -​ family, church, activities, etc.  Learning to prioritize really is important so you don’t walk in guilt re: church and family obligations. And realizing that everything comes out of you maintaining an effective prayer and study life. That is the environment that sets the priorities for each season that a pastor goes through. ​

You have one of the most beautiful prayer lives I know. Honestly, you and mom both do. What is it from your own experience that created this passion for prayer?

One of the most precious gifts I was ever given was when as a young pastor I was​ living with my brother, James and his wife, Betty, in Mullins where they pastored a small church where I met my wife.He let me into his prayer life. Listening to his personal prayers and the fervency of them gave me a hunger for prayer. I wish I could say that was consistent but it wasn’t. Only after the breaking did that passion begin to come into its fullness and even then things of the world would challenge it. I’m grateful that today I believe it is the purest it has ever been.

Okay, a totally selfish question here, but you have three kids, me being your only girl, what is it like having your daughter be the one in ministry and what is it like for you being a part of ministry with me now?

Once again this is one of mine and your mother’s greatest gifts. I always knew it would be you. Your hunger for God and prayer were so evident early on in life and all of the things you went through only proved that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord.  I’ve told so many people that these are some of the best days of our lives getting to share in your ministry and I am praying for its growth and increase in an exponential way in 2017.

What would you want to say to a pastor of any age?

​I would say develop a disciplined prayer and study life early on in ministry. It is from that where everything flows. ​Read sermons from the greats​ – like Spurgeon, Moody, Finney and Wesley along with men like A. W. Tozer, Leonard Ravehill and R. T. Kendall. And make time for your family and vacation and then personal time for yourself​. Finish Well!