Ministry Profile

Personal Mission Statement

Awaken and mature Christ-followers to their God created purpose in order to transform the world for Christ

Ministry Perspective

I believe God created mankind to worship Him and enjoy Him forever. I see this being accomplished through the Church of Jesus Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit. There is a need to call the Church and its members to live vibrant Christian lives and to impact the world around them. It takes biblically educating the body and assisting members to discover their created purpose so that they can effectively serve God. This is best accomplished by equipping Christian leaders to fulfill Jesus’ mission for His Church. The best context for this equipping to occur is in relationships with other believers and in carrying out Christ’s mission in the world.
I believe my gifts of teaching, organizational leadership and coaching can effectively be used in the building of the Church.

Personal Information

Childhood
I was born on November 22, 1971 in Little Rock, Arkansas. I grew up in the town of Benton with my Dad, Mom and younger sister Shelley.

Conversion
My mother took my sister and me to church as children. I was baptized at twelve but did not make a conscious decision at that time to follow Christ. It was not until the age of twenty-one when I found myself in jail that the realization of my true need for Jesus Christ came to light. After trusting in Christ I was mentored by a campus minister in college.

Calling
While in college I was challenged to become a Christ-follower and not just a believer. After graduating from college and moving into the corporate world, I quickly realized a need to be more involved in ministry. Marian and I became involved in leading a couples’ small group and with the youth ministry at our church. The more involved I became in ministry the more I felt drawn to make a change in my vocation. After much prayer and council from several pastors, I applied to seminary believing a seminary education would best prepare me for full time ministry. The seminary experience was not easy. It challenged me not just educationally but in all areas of my life. Now I see the need for balance between knowledge, passion, and wisdom.

Ordination
I was ordained by Fellowship Bible Church, Mountain Home, Arkansas in March 2004.

Family
As a student at UCA I was focused on studies and ministry. Then one day a friend introduced me to the most enchanting young lady. We soon became friends and later began an intentional courtship. After a short engagement of three months I married Marian Lynn McLarry on August 31, 1996. We were friends at the beginning and continue deepening our relationship. God blessed us with our beautiful daughter Catherine Jade on May 18, 2003. She has been a joy and has taught us so much about life.

Spouse’s education and ministry
Marian was born in Oxnard, California on March 17, 1975. At the age of eight Marian trusted Christ and was baptized at twelve. Her parents made several job related moves east until they settled down in Mountain Home, Arkansas where she graduated from high school. Marian received her MS and BS in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Central Arkansas. She is currently an Independent Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics.
While at seminary, Marian served as a Bible study facilitator with the Seminary Wives In Nurturing Groups (SWING). She also oversaw the 2000 DTS Christmas Craft Fair, which raised funds for the school’s international students. In 2001-2002 Marian became the SWING coordinator and served on the Seminary Wives In Ministry board. Her responsibilities included leading facilitator meetings, placement of wives in Bible study groups, and supporting the ministry through prayer. Marian was active on the Women’s Council at Trinity Bible Church in Richardson, TX. She has been a speaker and workshop facilitator at past women’s events. At Fellowship Bible Church Currently Marian led in the areas of women’s ministry and music ministry.

Education

Graduate Dallas Theological Seminary Dallas, Texas
Masters of Theology, Pastoral Leadership
Graduated May 2004

Undergraduate University of Central Arkansas Conway, Arkansas
Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
Graduated December 1996

Continuing Education Acts 29 Network, Church Planting Boot Camp
John Eldredge, Wild at Heart Boot Camp
Leadership Network, Mobilizing Ministry Seminar
Center for Christian Leadership, LEAD Program
Ministry Experience

February 2004 – May 2006
Directional Leader/Teaching Pastor – Fellowship Bible Church, Mountain Home, Arkansas
Over the course of 2003 I became acquainted with the elders at Fellowship. Upon further discussion with their elders I accepted the position of teaching pastor. As a solo pastor I wore many hats while seeking to equip the membership to do the work of the ministry.

August 2001 – May 2004
Center for Christian Leadership, Dallas Theological Seminary – Leadership Fellow
I assisted with the LEAD program in developing a marketing and organizational plan. I also worked with a team to coordinate and facilitate the Spiritual Formation small group program with students at Dallas Theological Seminary. Some of my responsibilities included recruiting, training and coaching small group leaders and planning annual events for the ministry. I personally led my own SF small groups from 8/2000-5/2004.

January 2003 – May 2003
Dallas Theological Seminary, Pastoral Ministries Dept. – Teaching Assistant
I was selected to assist Dr. Timothy Warren in teaching a secondary level preaching class. Responsibilities included mentoring students, critiquing sermon content and performance, and teaching classes. This opportunity challenged me in my own preaching and solidified the foundational concepts of expository preaching.

October 2000 - October 2001
E.K. Bailey Ministries - Interim Executive Director
I assisted Dr. E.K. Bailey in preparing sermons and publications. Also I oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Ministry while preparing for the 2001 International Expository Preaching Conference. Here I learned the need for equipping and encouraging pastors to strive for excellence.

October 1999 - October 2000
EvanTell Inc. - Bookkeeper and Database Manager
I was responsible for day-to-day receipts and payments through a computerized accounting system. I also oversaw the installation and implementation of fund raising management software and transitioning of accounting software in the ministry.

August 1996 – May 1999
Fellowship Bible Church Conway, Arkansas – Community Group Leader, Youth Volunteer
Marian and I led a young couples’ small group and volunteered leading the student ministry. This was where we first began ministering together. We learned how to lead our peers through the young couples’ group. At first I was reluctant to work with students but it turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

August 1992 - August 1996
Student Mobilization – UCA Campus President, Discipleship Leader,
Upon arriving on the UCA campus I soon built a relationship with a campus staff member of StuMo. He challenged me to grow in my walk with Christ and to minister to others. As the president of our campus chapter I worked with the StuMo staff to coordinate large group meetings and outreach events. I also had the privilege of attending StuMo’s Kaleo summer project two years in a row. This gave me great exposure to other young Christians and gave me opportunities to learn how to lead others.
Mission Experience

Macedonia Missions - Mudgeeraba, Queensland, Australia
I went with a group of 50 people from around the U.S.A. to help construct a church building. We found the people of Australia to be warm and very hospitable. I was able to share the truth of Jesus Christ with many in the local community and saw several put their trust in Christ.

Kaleo Summer Project - Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
I participated my first summer by working a full time job, attending bible studies at night and implementing evangelism events on the beach. My second summer at the project I was a group leader with responsibilities of leading bible studies, praying for and counseling my group members. This was a challenging summer that taught me true leadership is found in serving.

Work Experience

October 2006 - Present
Client Delivery Analyst - Acxiom Corporation
I am responsible for ensuring successful completion of marketing database projects for Fortune 500 clients. This includes requirement definition, systems design, testing and process documentation. God is using this position once again to challenge me to see that all our work is to be unto Him.

May 2002 - January 2004
Marketing Consultant - The TransSynergy Group
I worked with a team to implement marketing strategies for a multi-national telecommunications company. My responsibilities included managing a customer rebate process, system analysis, and vendor coordination. This position allowed me to better understand the essential processes needed to market an organization.

September 1996 - May 1999
Account Services - Acxiom Corporation
I was responsible for ensuring successful completion of marketing database projects for Fortune 500 clients. This included requirement definition, systems design, testing and process documentation. God used this position to challenge me to see that all our work is to be unto Him.