“The Flying Friar” – a nickname given to be my “Step-mother-in-law”…a title that sounds a lot more scary than the woman it labels! The Flying Friar really is quite a clever way to describe my multi-purpose roles as both Pilot and Pastor.

You see I’m what you could call a “late bloomer”, only repenting and submitting my life to the Lord when I was thirty, so I was a pilot way before I was a pastor. I’m the only guy I know who came to repentance because of a discussion with an athiest (!) – but I will deal with that when I share my testimony in a blog sometime. I wonder if I had been saved earlier if I would have just been The Friar? The balding head and the increasing waistline are starting to appear. All I need now is a brown tunic and rope for a belt…then I would be a great Friar!

Anyway, the apostle Paul made tents…and I fly planes to support my family…but my true passion is Ministry (although I do really like flying too!). Certainly I’m a more qualified pilot than pastor. Yes, I have a valid Airline Pilot’s Licence with 10000+ hours; mostly on Boeings. I now fly a Gulfstream business jet for a global multi-national corporation. No, I do not have a Theology Degree. I do however have the Holy Spirit, access to incredible teachers via the internet, and the spare time to diligently study.

I’m grateful for the freedom that comes with not relying on Ministry for my income. I’ve always enjoyed being able to preach what is on my heart without the risk of offending someone in the church and jeopardising my livelihood. This way I’m not required to preach what people’s itching ears want to hear. Obviously there are those who see godliness as a means to financial gains, so they need to be filling their churches. The easiest way to achieve numerical growth is by diluting the truth and telling people what they want to hear! I have always preferred to tell the truth, even when it is hard to hear.

I’m blessed with an incredible Wife; we have been married for over 20 years. We have 2 teenagers (one of each!)…our daughter is already at University and our son seems to be hot on her heels. They grow up way to quickly. Praise God, my immediate family is saved. I continue to pray for my extended family and friends.