I was born in Lubbock, Texas to George and Kay Dale (both parents deceased). I have one sister, Debby, who is currently living in Round Rock, Texas. I was raised in a Christian home, but not without its problems. My Grandfather, one uncle, and two cousins were ordained Southern Baptist ministers. My mother was a Presbyterian and my father was Southern Baptist.

I became a Christian at the age of 27. I worked within the Southern Baptist Church for several years. In 1977, I came to Louisville to attend Boyce Bible School (a fifth arm of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary/non-graduate level). I graduated from there in 1979 with a Diploma of Educational Ministry. Upon graduation, I served in a Southern Baptist Church until 1981.

I began coming to MCC Louisville in 1978. I would do my duties at the Baptist church and then run across town to share in worship at MCC in the afternoon and then back to the Baptist church for evening worship. In 1981 I decided that I had to make a decision. I chose to leave the Baptist church and start attending MCC full-time. I became the Music Director and served on the Board of Directors.

In 1982 the two Co-Pastors resigned. A year later, one of them committed suicide. This devastated the church and it dwindled in size until there were only seven people left. We gathered around our “card table” altar and asked God if the Light of this ministry in Louisville had been extinguished. God's answer was “NO.” In December of 1983, the Board of Directors asked me to serve as Worship Coordinator. I agreed, but told them to be about the business of finding a pastor.

In February of 1984 God called me to preach. Needless to say, was I confused! “God, I thought you called me to teach”, I cried, and God said, “What's the difference?” I entered the Student Clergy Training in 1984. I was Licensed by the denomination in 1986 and ordained in 1989. I served the church in a pastoral role while training and was officially called as pastor in 1989.