Since July 1989, it’s been my privilege to serve as the lead minister at Windsor Road Christian Church.
Describe your role at Windsor Road.
Since July 1989, it’s been my privilege to serve as the lead minister at Windsor Road Christian Church. My primary responsibilities are: primary teacher for weekend services; spiritual leadership and direction for elders, staff, and church family; oversight of doctrinal content and quality of teaching in the congregation; resource person for Elder Leadership Team; oversight of the church staff and all pastoral ministry processes (i.e. weddings, funerals, pastoral care, etc.).
Tell us about your family.
I married my college sweetheart, Sarah Engel, on May 5, 1984. Sarah is a warm, lovely woman of God. She is a wonderful mother and grandmother. She sings beautifully (she majored in voice). She loves to exercise walk. She teaches English as a second language in our community. Our older son, Benjamin, has been married to Ahbleza since August 2011. Ben is the Compliance Director for Parkland College in Champaign. I’m a proud grandfather to their two children, Audrey and Elias. Audrey was born in 2015 and Elias was born in 2018. Our younger son, Brandon and our daughter-in-law, Juliana, live in the Washington DC area. They were married in 2018. Brandon is a social worker.
What did you study & where?
I earned BA, MA, and MMin degrees from Cincinnati Christian University, in Cincinnati, OH, majoring in Bible and practical ministries. I also earned a DMin degree with a preaching emphasis from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL, and my PhD from the school of theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. The title of my dissertation is, “E.K. Bailey’s Hermeneutic for Preaching.”
Tell us something fun about you.
I love drinking good coffee! (My current favorite is Black Velvet at Columbia Street Roastery.) I also enjoy cooking out on my Weber grill: ribs, chicken, and salmon!
How did you come to Windsor Road? How did you end up on staff?
While Sarah and I were living in Ohio, we found out about the job opportunity at Windsor Road from a colleague. I was nearly finished with my seminary education and having served for nearly 7 years in an associate capacity, I began applying to churches with pulpit opportunities. We recall being so impressed with the biblical commitment and the grace orientation of the Windsor Road church family. Through a series of conversations and interviews, we were fortunate to have the congregation call us to serve. I believe my first day on the job was Wednesday, July 12, 1989. Our older son, Ben, was 7 months old. What a gift to my family to be able to serve here!
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
Date my wife!
Work out at the YMCA (Body Pump)!
Ride my bike! (TREK 7.4 FX)
Work in the yard!
Play golf!
Read! I read my Bible, presidential biographies, legal thrillers by John Grisham, and books about evidences for the Christian faith. I subscribe to the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and News-Gazette.
I follow these websites: Gospel Coalition, Jesus Creed, The Witness (Black Christian Coalition), The Front Porch, and Mockingbird.
