I have proudly served the Orcutt Christian Church since the summer of 1997.

   I was born and raised in the little town of Tuskegee, Alabama; was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America and became an Eagle Scout.  I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, until I joined the USMC.  

   I Served with the United States Marine Corps in Korea during the Korean war, and with the United States Air Force as a Chaplain during Vietnam. I am active in Amateur Radio {W6ALM. Extra Class. 1972.}.

   I have three outstanding daughters who contribute a lot to the Kingdom of God:

  Jeri Wise, Karen Keesler, and Gail Hurn.

   I am married to Elizabeth, who has a daughter named Julia. Elizabeth serves as the Youth Minister, and Julia is the harpist for Orcutt Christian Church.  Julia is a student at Westmont College, majoring in education and music.

   I graduated from the Cincinnati Bible Seminary with a degree in theology.  CBS was the flag seminary of the church of Christ/Christian Church. Sadly it ceased to be in December 2019, after 94 years.

   Attended the Earlham College School of Religion for two years.  ESR is a Christian graduate theological school in the Quaker tradition.    

   Graduated from Pepperdine University with a Master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling. Pepperdine is a school in the a cappella tradition.

   Twenty-four quarters of Clinical Pastoral Education, and was an Associate Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor.

   Received a Certificate in Psychiatry from University of Southern California School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry.

   Doctor of Ministry (DMin.) from Trinity Seminary, and post doctoral study at the Master's Graduate School.

   I was a founding director of LAOS, Inc., and was on the original committee that started the hospice movement in Southern California.

   I have been privileged to teach at Pacific Christian College (now Hope International University), University of California at Irvine, and several other colleges.

Who I Really Am

   I am, by God’s grace, a Christian (Acts 11:26), baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3), to wash away my sins (Acts 22:16).

   As a result, I was added by God to the one church that existed long before denominations ever came into being (Acts 2:47). That church belongs to Jesus Christ, as He purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28).

   I preach the gospel as was preached on Pentecost (Acts 2:22-39).

   Those who obey the gospel are added to the house of God (I Peter 4:17) and escape the fiery vengeance of Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:8), if they remain faithful (Rev 2:10).

   I am a Christian, saved by the grace of God through faith and obedience (Matthew 7:21, James 2:24).

   I am saved IN baptism BY grace FOR good works.

Job 32:17-22 (NIV2011)

17 I too will have my say; I too will tell what I know. 18 For I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me; 19 inside I am like bottled-up wine, like new wineskins ready to burst. 20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and reply. 21 I will show no partiality, nor will I flatter anyone; 22 for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away.

Psalm 21:4-6 (NASB)

4 He asked life of You, You gave it to him, Length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great through Your salvation, Splendor and majesty You place upon him. 6 For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence.