Dr. Lawrence Cole will be our keynote speaker for the Español Opening Celebration on Sunday, February 17 at 11:00 AM.

I was raised on the international mission field in São Paulo, Brazil, where my parents served as Southern Baptist missionaries. At the age of nine, while on furlough, I made my profession of faith in Jesus Christ and was baptized several weeks later. This decision was a commitment to live my life for God and that eventually blossomed into a call to full-time Christian service.

While preparing for the ministry at seminary I met my wife, Rhonda, also a seminary student. Rhonda is a licensed school social worker with Arlington Independent School District. We are foodies with a taste for international and local cuisine. We have two grown children; Clint who is married to Kristy, and Sarah will be married within a couple months. Rhonda’s mother, Glenna, now lives with us.

Rhonda and I have served 31 years in ministry in Texas, Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. She too is a missionary kid from South America, and we have participated in countless missions projects locally and globally. I am a graduate of Samford University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Campbell University Divinity School.

Here are some of my favorites. I am a fan of Brazilian soccer, having grown up playing in High School and college. The deacons at one church challenged and encouraged me to learn golf and I am endeavoring to learn the game. I enjoy the adventure of chess set collecting (about 300 sets) and experimenting with a variety of hot sauces. My greatest joy comes from leading a person to faith in Christ. Since the fourth grade my “go to” verse has been Jeremiah 33:3.