| I (Jay) grew up in Nashville, AR, and graduated from the University of Arkansas. Lara grew up in Hot Springs, graduated from Rhodes College, and was finishing her MBA at UALR when we met and married. Lara has worked in medical and dental practice management for over twenty-five years. I worked in finance and became interested in economic development after being elected city director in Hot Springs. From economic development, I moved into Chamber of Commerce work in Hot Springs. In 2005, we moved to Little Rock and I became president of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce where I continue to serve today. We are blessed with three children: Claire, Will, and Sam. Claire is a pediatric resident at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She and her husband, Matt Foster, have a son, Ben who attends Wee Warriors at Little Rock Christian where all our children graduated and where Matt works in the high school. Will attends the U of A where he will be a junior in the fall. Sam recently graduated from LRCA and he will join his brother as a freshman at Fayetteville in the fall. From the first time we visited Chenal, we felt at home. We loved the friendly members and staff, we loved the elders who went out of their way to meet us and answer any questions, and we loved the commitment to teaching God’s Word. We are thankful for the opportunities to teach our children about serving at home and on the mission field. Jeff Hankins recruited me to sing on the praise team before we even left Hot Springs and I am still singing. Lara has served as a teacher and led in women’s ministry. We have both served in VBS, various service projects, and participate in life groups. Our prayer is that God will use us to help grow our congregation to deeper dependence on God and that we, His people, will be matured as He is exalted. |
