It occurred to me that 30 years ago, in 1996, I decided to study theology. My family—my wife and three daughters under 7—and I moved from Miami to Chicago; at the time, I was a branch manager for LG in Miami. After earning an M.Div. at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and a Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, I got my first second-career job at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, in 2005. I’ve taught here for more than 20 years now, and I was promoted to full professor a few years ago.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of my new journey into theology. These have been such successful years, teaching thousands of students, writing more than 20 books, and still blooming with so many book ideas. I know I won’t stay here forever. All I know is I am here and alive. The next moves will come someday, whatever they may be. Thank God.