I was born September 16, 1951 in Fort Worth, Texas and resided in nearby Arlington. I lived there approximately 8 years until I finished the 3rd grade. In the summer of 1959, my dad, who worked for Sinclair Oil Company, was transferred up to Gainesville, Texas. Gainesville is a small North Texas town of about 13,000 people.
I would describe my upbringing as middle class, small town, all American. My activities besides school were sports, fishing, etc. During the summers I worked. Several summers I spent working on a farm with a friend whose family farmed and raised cattle on about 1,000 acres. Other summers I worked as a carpenter's helper building houses. One summer I worked in the oil field doing service work on oil wells. I appreciate that time period of my life and know that God was with me even then.
Religious Background Although I don't remember exactly when, I know that I was born again at an early age. I never had a problem accepting that Jesus was the son of God and that he was raised from the dead. Both of my parents were members of the First Baptist Church. It was there that I learned that Jesus died for my sins and that he was the Son of God. I learned that you should be baptized in water. I also remember being taught that you should keep the Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule. It was my perception, that this is what it took to be saved.
General I graduated from high school in 1969. After 2 years of junior college I left home to attend East Texas State University at Commerce, Texas. It was there that I met my wife, Jaclynn Morris. After graduating from ETSU in December of 1973, I married Jaclynn in June of 1974. We have one daughter, Jennifer, who was born July 16, 1981. It was during the 2 years at ETSU, from 1971 to 1973, that God really began to move in my life in a big way. I know that it was during this time God sent his Spirit to convince me of sin, righteousness and judgement. I became most miserable and asked God to do something in my life. Also during this time I received the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in tongues.
1974 to 1976 The next 2 years after leaving college were spent in the East Texas area. I worked for a company in Longview, Texas, and after that, for an engineer in Tyler. I know that God had led me out of the Baptist church. We attended a couple of Charismatic churches in the area. One of which soon became involved with the Discipleship movement. Soon after God arranged for us to move to Plano, Texas. He did it by drying up my job situation. I did not know at the time that God was directing this. I'm sure I was like Paul when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul did not know that he was persecuting Jesus and I did not know that God wanted me to move to Plano. This was the grace of God on my life although I did not realize it. God had a purpose in moving us. What I consider a miracle took place then, as God sold and closed my house in East Texas, and we bought and closed another in Plano in less than 2 weeks.
1976 to 1998 I have been in Plano for about 22 years. I have been involved in 2 businesses which we started and own. Fifteen years I spent developing and operating a successful horse farm. Our farm and bloodline became nationally known due to 2 of our stallions winning national titles. This, I can assure you, was the grace of God because my religious heart had a difficult time believing that God would be with you raising horses. He was! Also, we own and operate a drapery manufacturing business. I know that God has used these to develop my faith. About three years ago, at the direction of God, he led me to lay down the horse farm.
In Closing I believe that God moved me to Plano for a purpose. Although I had been brought up in and around church I had no foundation. I had been taught a lot of law and religion. I did not even know what the Gospel was. I met Doyle Davidson just a couple of years after moving to Plano. I have watched the Gospel work in his life. Ephesians 2:20 talks about the foundation that Christians need built in their heart. It states, "And are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone". Also, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 states, "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ".
I know that through the grace of God on Doyle's life, and the ministry that God committed to him, that foundation of Jesus Christ is what is being laid in my heart. I thank God for his mercy and grace as he continues to grow and establish my heart in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
