Men worth their salt
My story is simple. I grew up in a small town in Western Oklahoma and moved to Tulsa to attend Oral Roberts University where I earned a degree in business. I sell internet access and telephone service to businesses. Most of my life has unfolded following the Christian playbook. Be a nice guy, go to church, don't smoke and chew or date girls that do. Eventually, like most of us guys, I came to the idea that those cultural rules don't work out very well. They are weak and impotent when put next to all the enticing things our secular culture has to offer. I had a choice, truly live out this relationship with Jesus or walk out the set of rules imposed on me by my churchy subculture.
It always seemed simple. Just get in the presence of your God, read your Bible, pray every day. Getting there on a regular basis was always ellusive. And there always seem to be so many distractions. Some time ago I was introduced to a deeper walk with God through some simple steps. While connecting with a few other like minded men, unitentional dreams and desires starting bubbling up to the top. At my church we call this journey a D-group. I believe Jesus would call it becoming a disciple. The ride has been exhilirating and I am now on a life mission to bring other guys along. The simplicity of becoming a follower of Jesus has changed me and introduced me to myself again. I am married to my beautiful wife, Elora, and am the father of three amazing little ones, Isabelle, Isaac, and Max. We reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma and are members at Believer's Church.
Men worth their salt
Below is a list of able bodied men that are contributing to the content of The Narrows. Some have journeyed with me for many years, some are relatively new. I hope you enjoy their insight into life. I have had the privilage of sharing my life with many of these guys and am a better man for it.
Mark Daugherty, Intuit Corporation, Plano ,TX
Mark is a software developer for the well known Intuit Coproration. The best thing about Mark Daugherty is that he is always the same. The man is so wise. On his off time, Mark enjoys the great outdoors, studying Arabic, and is a Sunday School teacher at Prestonwood Church in Plano TX. Mark is married to his wife of ten years, Diane, and has two children, Sean and Bryn.
Michael Eddins, Director - Potter's Hand Ministries, Tulsa, OK
Mike Eddins is the founder and director of Potter's Hand Ministries. The establishment of PHM follows years of serving the church as pastor and director of Christian Education as well as experience in the Christian publishing industry. Mike holds a B.A. in Christian Education from Oral Roberts University and an M.A. in Christian Thought from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He is also a Doctoral candidate of spiritual formation with George Fox seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is an Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at Tulsa Community College and an ordained minister in the Association of Vineyard Churches. Mike lives in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma with his wife Ronna, & their sons Stephen, Samuel, and Simon.
Blake Fite, President - Donor Depot, Fort Mill, SC
Blake holds a MBA from Regent University in Cheasapeake VA. Blake has extensive experience in the non-profit sector. He spent the first five years of his work life helping non-profits negotiate the best possible money processing rates for their incoming revenues. From there, the National Fatherhood Intiative Washington DC tapped his skill set as a busness program manager. This role brought him to some of the largest corporations in America - consulting top level executives on how to be better dads. After exiting the government funded non-profit, Blake launched his own business consulting non-profits on technology and money processing. This website is his company's handy work.
Noah Parris, Major Account Executive, Qwest Communications, Tulsa, OK
Noah Parris is a committed husband & father of 2 children in Jenks, OK. He's an accomplished sales and business professional in B2B technology sales. Noah holds an MBA from Oklahoma State University and his past accomplishments include: top sales performer accolades, Big Brother of the Year for Oklahoma in 2004, and non-profit executive committee roles. Noah is well known for being able to quote many passages in Proverbs. His character and wisdom show the fruit of those devotional habits in the Word of God.
Gyle Smith, Executive Pastor - Believer's Church, Tulsa, OK
Gyle Smith is the Executive pastor at Believers Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma (www.bctulsa.com). He is also a musician, currently performing with the group Tribe (www.tribedrummers.com). His past has included work in Christian music, film, and mass media. His favorite thing in the world is to be husband to his wife Kelly and father to his 3 children, Sam, Annie and Charlie.