I was born in Mississippi, but grew up in rural Oklahoma on a peanut, cattle, and watermelon farm.  Sherri and I married when we were 19, and often joke about "raising each other".  We farmed full time with my dad and grandad while I finished my undergraduate degree.  After grad school in 1985, I took a faculty position at Mississippi State in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and have been here for my entire professional career.  I currently serve as the provost and executive vice president. MSU has provided immense opportunities for me, but even more than that, our love for this congregation is one of the main reasons we have made Starkville our permanent home.  Both of our children were born in Starkville and grew up in our church family here.  I have served the congregation in several capacities, including being a deacon responsible for education and involvement.  I became an elder in 2003.