Jack's Intro

It was great to be with you all this past couple of days. You are a blessed group of people with whom I look forward to going on this blessed journey to Israel, the birth place of our faith.

I am currently serving the Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church (USA) in New Albany, Indiana. I have been here 12 years and continue to be excited with the privilege of being their pastor. I am so excited about being here that there are days I have a difficult time staying inside my skin. This is a cool place with really cool people who love the Lord and who eagerly look for new and creative ways to be of service to one another, the church and community. Who could ask for a better place to serve?

In addition to being gifted with a wonderful place to work, I am marred to an even more wonderful woman named Dana who is just crazy enough to put up with the irregular hours of a parish pastor. 19 years ago, Dana and I met a Louisville Seminary where she continues to work as the Administrative Coordinator in the Seminary Relations Office. She sings in two church choirs at Mt. Tabor and is the Vice President of the Fiber Exchange Guild of Southern Indiana.

Together, Dana and I, own and operate a small sheep farm where we raise a rare breed of sheep, Black Cotswold. We shear their wool twice a year, then wash and dye it into about 20 different colors, then make it available to hand spinners, weavers, doll makers, felters and a wide variety of other fiber artist. We also manufacture and hold the trademark and paten on needle felting tools called, “Needle Felters®”. Feel free to check out our web site, www.bigspringsfarm.com

In addition to serving as the Senior Pastor of the Mt. Tabor Church, I am also the Chief of Chaplains for the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana. I have the joy of be able to work with three other skilled chaplains were we serve 67 police officers, correction officers and their families, and the general population in times of crisis both behind bars and those who are not. For me this consists of going on patrol with the officers and assisting in all the activities of a police officer. I’ve been involved in law enforcement chaplaincy since 1989.

After this past couple of days with you all preparing for our pilgrimage, I feel almost like a child waiting for Christmas. This will be a grand experience.