I’ve grown up in so many places, I don’t have an accent. The moving is the result of being a “military brat” and thanks to the Air Force for the good times. I was born in Altus, Oklahoma and still consider that part of the world home. 

Jan and I attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas and we married eighteen-months later in May 1983. I finished college just as Jan gave birth to our first daughter, Lacey, in May 1984. We had Jason in June of 1986 and Jennifer in October of 1987 while we were enjoying living near the lake in Montague, Michigan.

My current job is as a Subcontracts Administrator for SAIC in Reston Virginia, while Jan works for the American Meteorological Society in Washington, DC.  We have recently moved to Culpeper, Virginia, with our two dogs and cat. We are so fortunate to be living with a wonderful lady, Barbara Rhodes.

Our oldest, Lacey, is a senior Music Ed. Major, at Liberty University. She is in the Marching and concert bands and enjoys volunteering at Lynchburg Christian Academy working in the band and music program.
Jason, a junior, is at Jacksonville University on full scholarship as a Music Business Major. He enjoys composing and arranging original music as well as sharing his past marching experiences by training high school students in marching and brass. His production company is called “ChinHair Productions”.
The youngest, Jennifer, is a freshman at Olivet Nazarene University where she has declared herself a Pastoral major and is working on completing her local ministers license. She too is musical as she plays the Bass fiddle in the Orchestra. Her dyslexia has been her greatest ally. She was able to be tutored by a Godly teacher who was a missionary to China. It was during this time that she determined to become a missionary herself and has fulfilled some of her dream through two trips to Zambia working with “Every Orphans Hope”.

Musical Taste: There is no accounting for taste, but I find myself listening to www.202fm.com, “The Techno Lounge” when I am at work or studying. Otherwise it is just whatever the last person who had the car last set the radio. Personally, I like Jazz (Coltrane, Davis Brubeck, Tangerine Green), Classical (Wagner & Mozart) and Classic Rock (Styx, Toto, Eagles, Chicago & Kansas).

Movies & Books: Anything Isaac Asimov, The Dune series, All Star Trek movies

I met my wife, Jan, while teaching and leading a Bible Study at a local Nursing Home. As with many things in my life, it turned out that we ended up at the same Church Christmas party some four months later and we have been together ever since. Jan and I have been involved in many aspects of “church work” over the years. She in administrative roles and me as Evangelist, Worship Leader, Sunday School teacher, you name I have probably have done it.

The Church of the Nazarene has challenged me to really take a long hard look at what I want both out of life and out of my relationship with Christ. What I have found is that it has been a mile-wide and an inch-deep. Its one thing to have ones reach exceed ones grasp but it is quite another to realize what that grasp is based on is what I am doing and less on what Jesus has done for me.

As part of the journey to ordination, I have been blessed to serve at the Loudoun Valley Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Athan Burch accepted me as a student immediately upon becoming a member. It was during one of our many discussions that I realized that I was missing the opportunity to fully give myself to the Lord and that my gifts of Leadership and Teaching needed to be practiced and honed. Under his tutelage, I have had the opportunity to preach, teach the new members and SHAPE classes and serve as Outreach Ministry Team leader. In August 2006, I received my District minister’s license and look forward to working to complete the process of becoming an Elder and ordination. It is through the use of such programs as the MPP and the Master’s degree program through Northwest Nazarene University that I will be better prepared to reach people with the Gospel.

Working in Procurement Management and serving as a bi-vocational Pastor is both exhausting and rewarding.  My colleagues call me “Deacon Lonnie” and we have lively discussions on all sorts of topics.  They’ve come to see me as a person, not just a pastor.  At the same time, I sometimes wonder how God is going to use what I have learned for His glory. 

On November 18, 2006 I was given the privilege and honor to serve at Hope Community as Pastor.  Our Church is growing and lives are being impacted.  I am continually amazed at what God does.  Those are the days that help me continue to meet the challenge of completing the Master of Divinity Degree and transitioning into full-time pastoral work.

My goals for this time are:
1. Reach the “lost sheep” of our congregation and community through visitation and follow-up
2. Grow the body spiritually through on-going studies
3. With my life’s work experience, degree program and denomination training help grow up and send out the next generation of leaders

I truly get a joy out of working and coaching people as they seek God. It’s a wonderful expression of His love for me that He lets me do it.

Pastor Lonnie
540 825-460