It has been my privilege to be the pastor at FBC Luther since November of 1994. I moved to Luther from my first pastorate, First Baptist Church, Slick, Oklahoma, where I had pastored for 14 years and 3 months. I am married to the love of my life, Karen, and we have 2 grown children and three precious grandchildren, Dre, John, and Marquiez. Krista Reynolds is our oldest child and she is married to Andy. Marquiez is their son. D.J. is our youngest child and he is married to Lindsay. John and Dre ( Derrick DeWayne Carney III ) are their sons. God has truly blessed us with a great family. Krista and Andy currently serve as a house parents at Boys Ranch Town in Edmond. D.J. and Lindsay currently reside in Bristow, where D.J. is the Youth Pastor at First Baptist Church Bristow. Karen is currently employed at the Luther Public Schools as the financial secretary.
I was born and raised in southern California, but have lived in Oklahoma since 1968. I graduated from Carl Albert High School in Midwest City, Oklahoma in 1975 and travelled to England for a year to attend Capernwray Bible School. I completed the one-year Bible training and returned to Midwest City to begin Bible college at Draper Lake Seminary, an extension of Draper Lake Baptist Church where my father pastored. I completed 3 years, earning a Non-traditional Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical Studies.
I was saved at the age of 9 at New Hope Baptist Church in Santa Ana, California on April 9, 1966. I was called to preach at the age of 15 at Southeast Baptist Church in Commerce, Oklahoma.
Like many pastors, my goals are simple and straight-forward. First, I want to be a good preacher. I want my preaching to uplift Christ, edify the body of Christ, and bring the lost to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Second, I want to be a good partner to my wife and a good parent to my children. I want God to work through me to make my family a shining example of God’s love and grace. Third, I want to be a good pastor to my church. I want to educate, love, and train God’s people to be the best they can be for Christ.