It is a real privilege to be asked to be featured in the alumni spotlight for Trinity Christian Academy. I graduated from Trinity in 1985 after attending the school since kindergarten. While at Trinity I played basketball, ran track and played in the band. I truly enjoyed my years at Trinity and met many lifelong friends along the journey. In fact, I currently stay in contact with a number of my classmates on a routine basis, and we often recount funny stories, cherished memories or memorable happenings that occurred over 25 years ago.

In 1988 I married the absolute girl of my dreams in the former Rhoda Player (class of 86). We have been married for 25 years and have 3 wonderful children. My oldest, Christopher, graduated from Trinity in 2012 after playing basketball, golf, and football (yes, for Verlon!). Christopher also  was voted as homecoming king for his senior class. Andrew, my second child, will graduate this year and played golf (yes. we have a golf team). Andrew was voted by his senior class to be Mr. TCA for this year's graduating class. It's a really neat honor for him to be voted Mr. TCA because I was somehow voted Mr. TCA in 1985! Our youngest, Crystal, is a freshman at Trinity this year and has the distinction of being the first girl on my side of the family in 49 years! Rhoda and I are truly blessed to have three wonderful, Godly children. They are the joy of our lives. We currently live on the Westside (the best side) off Crystal Springs.

Since 1997, I have owned my own business along with two other Trinity alumni - Eugene Aman (84) and Billy White (85). We enjoy working together and I actually have the privilege to attend church with them and their families. Trust me there is never a dull moment at work!

In 1989, Rhoda and I began serving together by teaching a Bible Fellowship class for singles at Trinity. We taught singles for around 12 years, and then helped start a couples’ class. We have been teaching the couples' class since that time, and really count it a joy to teach such a great group of adults. We routinely have over 100 people in class on a weekly basis and I absolutely love what we do!

If you knew me at all in high school, you might be wondering how in the world I ended up teaching a Bible Fellowship class. Well, I wouldn't have believed it either, but God had other plans. Although I was saved at age 5, God really captured my heart around 1989 while I was attending Jacksonville University. Through a series of events and mentors, I came face to face with a true crisis of belief. I began to wonder why I believed what I believed. It was a turning point in my spiritual life in a number of ways. Faith became real. God became active. I committed my life to know Him, and to be a follower of His. I didn't want "religion", but I sure wanted Him. I am thankful that He is the center of our home, and that all of our family members are Christ followers.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing golf and playing the piano (keyboard). I'm still waiting on the invitation to play with Billy Joel or Harry Connick Jr. when they are in town, but the phone is pretty silent on that one. I also enjoy seeing updates /pictures on Facebook from my friends at good ole' TCA. It was great to see those that came to the reunion a few years back at Rick and Trina Baker's house, and those that attended the big homecoming get-together at Trinity this year. I think it's great that we now have a functioning alumni group, and I thank Jenny Stanley for her hard work. I look forward to seeing your "spotlights" in the upcoming days!