- Department: Public Health
- University: Appalachian State University
- Location: North Carolina
When I was very young, my Sunday school teacher told my class two things... Santa Claus is not real, but Jesus is. I gave my life to Jesus that day, and I've believed in Him ever since. My faith was strengthened over the years by having several incredible, supernatural experiences with God. A real turning point in my life was during my junior year in college. That year, I felt the tangible, overwhelming presence of the Holy Ghost, and I also met a friend was passionate about evangelizing. He would pray for people wherever he went, in the streets, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and at work. He started to see people receive dramatic healings from Jesus, and I saw it with my very own eyes whenever I hung out with my friend. He taught me how to evangelize, and I started to witness Jesus' miracle-working power when I would pray for people throughout my daily life. Those dramatic experiences radically changed who I was, and it made the Bible very real to me. I also learned how to seek the Lord in prayer and how to hear His voice. During my last semester of college, He led me away from my dream of going to medical school, and He guided me into the field of public health. Jesus eventually led me to become a college professor, and He introduced me to my wonderful wife. He has blessed us with a healthy, happy baby boy. Like everyone, I've gone through some real hard times during college. My best friend died in a car wreck during my sophomore year, resulting in a mental breakdown that required a semester off from school. My beloved dog died in my arms. I experienced breakups. I faithfully followed Jesus to abandon my dreams of medical school. My amazing grandma died during graduate school. I've had dear friends reject me because of my faith. I've dealt with professors and classmates who openly hate God and mock the Bible and Christians. However, with each hardship, Jesus has been there for me... helping me, guiding me, and showing me His patience and love for me, my family, my friends, my enemies, and even total strangers.
Favorite Quote
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7)
Friends describe me
Outgoing, funny, nice, goofy
My hobbies
Spending time with family and friends, Praying for people, Experiencing the great outdoors
Fantasy dinner guests
The Father, Jesus, the Holy Ghost, and Saint Patrick
Best advice I ever received
How to experience God's physical presence, and how to hear His voice
My undergrad alma mater
Lock Haven University
My worst subject in school
Calculus
In college I drove
Honda Civic
If I weren't a professor, I would
Be a filmmaker
Favorite books
The Bible; When Heaven Invades Earth; Saint Patrick's confession
Favorite movies
Christmas movies (the cheesier the better); Christian movies (the cheesier the better)
Favorite city
Asheville, NC
Favorite coffee
Strong with cream; Iced dirty chai latte
Nobody knows I
Created a cheesy public access TV show
My latest accomplishment
I earned tenure and received a teaching award
Current Research
Best teaching strategies for college classrooms