“...I knew my surrender would be a ‘one time for all time’ decision....” -- Gary Thomas, Assistant Pastor for Counseling
- Born and raised in rural Aberdeen, Washington.
- Celebrating 50-plus years of marriage to his high school sweetheart, Rosemarie.
- Father to Rick (married to Jamie), Randy (married to Barb), and Pam (married to Brian).
- Grandfather to 11 grandchildren.
- University of Washington graduate, B.S. in Forest Management. Graduate of Weatherwax High School, Aberdeen.
How did you become a Christian? I finally understood God’s “Terms of Engagement” when I was 29, and surrendered my life to Him then with great relief. Up until then, I wanted to be sure of truths regarding God and His view of me before surrendering, because I knew my surrender would be a one time for all time decision, and I did not want to surrender to the wrong “god” and find out later I had made a mistake.
Was there a significant "turning point" in your life at that time? Yes, a turning point: when I went forward in response to an altar call, I knew I had stepped across a “line in the sand” into a new, unknown life, and into a circle of new, unknown people who would become my friends, and that I would never, ever step back across that line into my former life. My former life was dead in an instant.
What brought you to Calvary Chapel Olympia? A thirst for the full, pure counsel of God from His Word, and a form of worship that allowed my spirit free expression of my love for Jesus.
What are some highlights of your Christian service? To see each of our children come to Jesus as their savior on their own faith, not “shirt tailing” on Rosemarie’s or my faith. I still “pinch myself” that I sit in a pastor’s “chair.” I never set out to be a pastor. It is something that just happened to me.
What is the vision God has put on your heart for your ministry? The only vision I have is that God will use me to present the truth to hearing ears and a heart hungry for God, and that in sharing the truth, another life will be saved for eternity. However He wishes to accomplish that is in His domain of choice, not mine. So, I really do not try to define my ministry. However and wherever He leads and equips me becomes my ministry.
How has God personally stretched you, in areas that you could not have anticipated? I am naturally very shy, and do not feel comfortable mingling with people. God has made it possible for me to do that by placing a great love in me for people and that love (usually) overshadows my shyness.
What is one thing you want people to know about you? That no matter how I might present myself to them, I have a deep and affectionate love for them.
Where is your comfort zone? I prefer to be in a comfortable cushion chair or couch with a warm fire in the attractive wood stove beside me, curled up with and surrounded by books of study and devotion.
I deeply enjoy “My Utmost for His Highest” (Oswald Chambers), “Daily Light for Every Day” (Anne Graham Lotz), anything by C. S. Lewis, bible dictionaries, word studies, and atlases. I also enjoy reading “The Jerusalem Post” and the “Creation Journal,” a scientific publication ... anything that helps me understand more of God’s Word. I rely almost solely on God’s Word for understanding how to live and understand why I think and behave the way I do. I have passed the stage in my life where I refer to “how to” books to explore how I ought to live my life. The “Book” for all of this has been written, and it truly delivers on its promise that it is sufficient for doctrine, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. To discover ageless truths that have always been in His Word, but are only newly revealed to me is perhaps the greatest personal experience I can imagine. It puts me in touch with eternity. It is awesome!