About Me

I am the Senior Pastor here at Warlicks Baptist Church. My wife, Sharon, and I have been married since August 3, 1974.  We have two children: Carrie Gilliam married to Cameron Gilliam and Andrew Murry married to Laura.

My Story

I grew up in a Christian home, but did not accept God’s gift of salvation until I was twenty-eight. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who paid the price for all sin including mine, when He was crucified. I believe that He rose from the dead and will live for eternity. I gladly proclaim my faith in Him, and my love and allegiance to Him. I owe all my hope, all that I am, and all that I have now and in eternity to Him.

First Job

Cleaning the local schools during the summer.  We would dust, mop and buff the floors

Favorite Restaurant 

O’Charlies - Best bourbon salmon in town. A close second is Charlie Grangers - the brisket hot dog is really good

Dream Trip

Israel. I would love to see where Jesus walked.  A close 2nd Dodger Stadium - I would like to experience that atmosphere once

Favorite Movie Quote

“You can fool some of the people some of the time and some of the people most of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” - "Maverick".  I like to add “and you can’t fool God any of the time.”

Super Power

I have no superpower, I am lucky to walk and chew gum at the same time

The Younger Years:

I cannot remember a time when I was not around a piano.  I think my earliest memory of playing music was around the age of 5.  My mom played and I just fell in love with it from the very beginning.  I grew up in church and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at around age 9 or 10 while attending Berea Baptist Church in Connelly Springs.  

Musical Experience:

At age 15, I was asked to play the piano for a large youth choir at First Assembly of God Morganton, N.C.  I continued at First Assembly of God until age 18 when I then enrolled at Charlotte Hair Styling Institute in 1979.  While attending Barber College there, I became the part time pianist for First Assembly of God in Gastonia, N.C.  

My Family:

Before graduating from C. H. S. I. I married my wonderful wife, Tammy Reece in 1980.  That same year after graduating, I began working at Carl’s Hair Styling when our first child Chasity was born.  Over the next 11 years, I traveled with the Singing Winebargers from Lenoir, N.C.  During this span of time, I did interim pianist work for several churches in the area. 

My Time at Warlicks:

In 1990 I attended Warlick’s Baptist Church and joined sometime after my second child Daniel was born in 1991. That same year I became the pianist for the church, and in 2009 was appointed Praise & Worship Leader where I am currently serving. 

I grew up in Rhodhiss where I lived until the 8 grade, when my dad built a house in Valdese, where I live to this day.  I have lived the majority of my life in the Valdese area and went to Valdese High School.  

Sometime around 1956, my parents began to visit Warlicks Baptist Church and we joined sometime later.  At first I began to play the piano around 1956 and then began to play the organ not much longer after for the Sunday Morning worship.  

While working at the A&P grocery store and going to church, I met the love of my life, Francis Orders, when he asked me to play the piano for him while he sang a song for a worship service.  We married shortly after in 1976.  

Playing the piano and organ is a worship experience that I cannot explain and have played the organ ever since.  

"Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 100:1-5

New American Standard Bible 1995