I wanted to thank you personally for taking the time to learn more about me and for your willingness to search out Truth. I am, first and foremost, a Christian. My greatest ambition is not to be remembered as a man who accomplished great things but to be known as a man who humbly echoed the principles of servitude, compassion, and the grace of Christ. My earnest desire is to live a life so that others will see my Savior living through me. My identity is found in Christ. He is my role model; He is my hero. He was a Champion for the outcasts. He never wavered or hid from the Truth. I want to be known as a person who can honestly say, “To know me is to know Christ.” 

I have been asked why would I dare to put myself into an arena that has the uttermost contempt for Christians. My answer to this question is simple. I believe everyone needs to hear and experience His love, but how can others Know Him if people of faith are unwilling to rise up and make a stand against the principalities of this world.

Every day when we turn on the television or listen to the radio, we are constantly reminded of the fragile nature of our world. Riots in the streets, businesses closing down, people losing their savings. Our world, our civilization is fracturing, it is in turmoil. I want us to unite together and heal the broken hearts, and make a difference in the lives of others. It is during these times I am reminded that

“All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

I have no desire for evil to triumph. I can either rise and make a stand at my Goliad, knowing full well that the battle that lies ahead of me will probability overtake me; or, I can trade in my desire to serve others and live in a moment of security while being apathetic to the aliments of society and retreat into my own bubble and thoughts.

“People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both.” – Benjamin Franklin

I believe we have arrived at a watershed moment in our Country and within our State. We have a choice that we need to make. On what principles will I stand upon going forward? I choose to stand upon the principles that made our way of life, the American life, a Beacon of Hope to all nations. I choose to stand for principles where neighbors help neighbors. I choose to stand for Truth that is so self-evident that it is enshrined within the Declaration of Independence and governed by the principles within the Constitution. I choose to stand on the fundamental concept that we are all made in the image of God, and without this premise, there is NO basis for the freedoms that we enjoy.  I choose to stand for Liberty and Justice for all Americans.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
– [Preamble to the Declaration of Independence]

I began my teaching career after graduating from Harding University in 2004. I have taught and helped thousands of students achieve their dream jobs for over eighteen years. I have had a great opportunity interact with the youth and the next generation of American leaders, and I have witnessed their potential. We are at a watershed moment in history as a nation and a state. If we are to move forward as We the People, hard decisions must be carefully weighed. We cannot act lightly or carelessly, but we must live under reality and live by the standards we wish to be judged. We need leaders who are both brave and rational. We need leaders who will not be swayed by the political whims of the moment but who are courageous enough to stand firm on the principles of Liberty and Truth.

As an educator, one main goal involved helping students transition from rote memorization to learning how to formulate their solutions. I believe that it is of the utmost importance to cultivate an atmosphere of higher education instead of higher training. Instead of mass-producing party talking points, we should be encouraging open dialogue and independent thought. The challenge of higher education involves teaching students to think beyond basic training, routine calculations, which helps prepare them to become proficient problem solvers within their respective fields. There is a need in today’s political environment for rational thought and wisdom.

I believe my background in teaching will be a valuable asset to helping us lead our community forward. To be an effective educator requires good communication skills and trust. I have learned that the best ideas come when I become silent and listen to the hearts of others. It is easy to think your ideas are the key to life’s answers, but experience has shown me that the best ideas come when we decide to work and live within a community. United We Will Stand. I ask that you stand with me during this pivotal time in our history to chart a path during these uncertain times so that everyone will experience the American Dream.

I have worked in several different settings. At an earlier age, I learned the trade of cabinet making and carpentry. Although I am no longer active in this line of work, I remember the life lessons that I learned during these years.

1. If it is worth doing, take your time and do it right.
2. Work hard even when no one is watching.
3. Be honest and put in an honest day’s work because others depend upon your integrity.
4. Be willing to lend a hand when needed, for the work of two is better than one.
5. Family and friends are more important than work.
6. Remember who you are.

As a construction worker, I learned many skills but the most important life lesson that I learned is how to treat others. I learned the stark difference between being a boss and being a leader. I discovered when higher management treated their workers with dignity, a better product was produced for the company. I learned that it is far better to treat others as people more important than yourself and to not look down upon others. To summarize

• “Don’t do anything from selfish ambition or from a cheap desire to boast, but be humble toward one another, always considering others better than yourselves.”
• “Don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
• “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.”