Q: Moving to
Nashville from Florida you probably noticed things that are different from the
Sunshine State. Can you name a few?
His Answer: Diversity
is much wider here than in Panama City. Being
so close to Alabama, Panama City sometimes didn’t feel like Florida. Some joked it was LA for Lower Alabama or even
the Redneck Riviera.
Hers: It was much
slower there. Here it is faster paced
with the interstates, traffic, and even opportunities.
Q: As a pastor and
teacher to youth from middle school to college, what takes you to prayer most
for the youth of this generation?
His: It is the lack
of purpose. Our students have access to
so much so quick. They finally reach a
point when they realize I have all I need and ask what is the point of my life. Do
I go get more stuff? What do I do? Hers: The need to be loved and accepted. They yearn for acceptance and unconditional love.
Q: As parents of
seven children ranging from ages 15 to 1, how do you find time for your
personal Bible study?
His: I do it in the
mornings. I try to get to work
early. That study and prayer time is
important. When I don’t get there, it is
challenging.
Hers: It is in the
morning and not as long as I like. This
morning at five the house was quiet. It
was a sweet time. I drink it in. I have to.
Q: What is the Holy
Spirit teaching you both right now?Hers: I just read about loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind. Your entire mind means to think on these things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). That is what he has been teaching me. When my mind goes to complaining or being discontent, the Lord has brought that back to me ... whatever is true. And what is true is that he loves me. He loves me. (And she smiled.)
His: For me, it is
when I want to be discontented I am reminded that Jesus came to serve, not to
be served (Matthew 20:28). I am reminded
I am not better than him. He came to be
a servant.
Q: I have walked with
Sylvia for the past few years, and it has opened my eyes that being the wife of
a pastor is a job similar to First Lady.
Your husband was elected President but you are expected to do certain
things also. What advice can you give to
a couple first starting out in ministry together?
His: If you had rather do something else, you need
to go do that. (This was said with such
certainty that it left my jaw slack.)
Hers: It is a privilege. What an opportunity to speak truth to others
who are hurting and share that you too are certainly not exempt from the hurts
of life.
Q: What was the last
thing you scribbled on a paper napkin?His: Does it have to be a paper napkin? Just recently, I didn’t have any business cards with me and a gentleman needed my phone number. I took out a Chick-Fil-A card I had in my wallet and scribbled my number.
Hers: I wrote a
reminder in the memo part of my phone - something about “You can’t fix stupid.”
Does that count?
Q: What is your
favorite food?
Hers: Anything
chocolate, girl. (That reminded her that
she needed go up to the counter to get her free birthday pastry. What else but a chocolate duet cookie!)
His: Chick-Fil-A
sandwich. (Yes, that scribbled phone number came along with a free Chick-Fil-A sandwich. I think I see Jesus.)
Q: If you could go
back in your life and do something over again, what would that be?
His: Tons of
stuff. There is not enough paper to
write it all down. I think I would seek
out someone to disciple me. I felt the
call to ministry at age 15, but there was no one to disciple me to tell me what
to do.
Hers: Yikes! I think I would have gone to a Christian
college. Maybe my circle of influence
would have led me closer to the Lord instead of away. There were 40,000 people at UT (Texas). Signs for gays and lesbians lined the
streets. I was shocked as a little
18-year-old girl. Sixth Street, a street
with bars and clubs, was prominent.
Partying was just calling me.
Q: What brings you
the greatest joy in your life right now?
A: My children. (Both
answered with the same words … Johnny with laughter and Sylvia with tears.)
Q: If your family had
a pet, what could it be?
His: A border
collie. Growing up I had one. A trained one. I know a family that has a trained one. When their toddler goes outside, the dog
will lean on her and not let her out the gate.
Some dogs nip, but he just leans on her and pushes her back.
Hers: They would want
anything.
See. See what I mean. The conversation was real. This
roast beef sandwich thanks the turkey sandwich and his wife, the green salad!
