3 Decades...

On Dec. 16, 1979, I knelt on the steps of First Baptist Church, Garland, Texas, and felt hands being laid on me--the hands of pastors, deacons, teachers and the small hands of children. Roger McDonald and John Kramp had spoken words and I was commissioned to TEACH, and this was my ordination. From there, I spent time with my family, and then went and stood in a classroom at Southwestern to teach a class, "Introducation to Children's Ministry."
And that's where I've been for the past 30 years--in the classroom. I have taught--and been taught at Southwestern, Biola, Golden Gate, Occidental, Simpson, Univ. of Inner Mongolia, Fresno Pacific and CSU-Fresno. My life and career has been spent between the university and the church. This life of professor/minister. The 2 roles, for me, are the same. You listen. You teach. You listen again. You assign. You review. You listen. You lead.
Tonight, I will go to Bakersfield, and I will teach. Again.
I do not know how much longer I will be able to teach, but, I want to do this for as long as I can, as best I can. I am grateful, and I am blessed.