Is Keith Speaking for You?

Ordinary Guy with an Extraordinary God.

I love the water. Specifically, the Gulf of Mexico. It comes naturally. My grandfather fled Romania to seek a better life on the sea. With no formal education, he learned five languages in his travels and then discovered a new life in America. Amazingly, he married a divorcee with two small girls in the early 1900's. This sun-bronzed man made his living on boats, in seafood factories and even as the city dog catcher and garbage man. He didn't have much. He didn't care. He was living the dream.

His wife gave birth to four more children, all boys. Their third-born was my father. He, too, sought the sea by joining the Navy and then the Merchant Marines. He had one son when he married my mother, a country girl come to town. My father built ships for over 30 years. He didn't have much. He didn't care. He was passing down the dream.

I wanted to join the life of the sea. My brother did. I fished. Threw cast nets. Crabbed. Tried to surf. Loved to ski. Sand. Sun. Success. That was my dream. But then God.

I became a Christian at nine-years-old. I remember thinking, "I can't live the same anymore." I knew to be a Christian meant to change. To love and live for the Creator and the Savior of my soul. I did. I loved church. I loved God. But then Keith.

I started wanting God and... However, God just wanted me. I wanted popularity. I wanted sports. I wanted parties. I was miserable. At 18, God reminded me there is no "God and." There can only be God. He broke me. He restored me. He renewed me. But then God.

God wouldn't let me just seek my will or the sea. He wanted me to seek Him. God opened doors and called me to serve Him. Soon, I surrendered to the ministry. I thought it would be camps, kids, water and sun. But God.

God slowly changed my heart. Called me to pastor a sweet little church in the country. Gave me a wonderful wife. Two boys. Then He sent us to Louisiana. To a First Baptist Church that was broken, fighting and needing direction. It was great. The church changed to a place of joy. Next, God gave us a baby girl and sent us to New Orleans. A port city. A city of darkness. A city of brokenness. A city of characters. God knew I fit. What a marvelous church God allowed us to join Him in transforming. We became more like the colors of heaven in our pews. We reached out to hurting people with a message of hope. We started and helped churches that spoke Arabic, Haitian, Korean, Spanish and English. Then Katrina. One million meals served. Hundreds of thousands of Bibles distributed. Many broken lives transformed. I was living the dream. But God.

God granted this ordinary guy with an extraordinary opportunity to impact our state and a greater portion of the world. Louisiana Baptists allow me to work with them in Evangelism and Church Revitalization. In 2020, while serving as Interim Pastor of New Life, DeRidder, during the Covid Crisis — the church, convention, and my wife allowed me to transition to Senior Pastor of New Life on Sundays and keep serving Louisiana Baptists full-time. On occasion, I have the opportunity to teach for a seminary and a college. I couldn't even dream this dream. So I write. I preach. I teach.

I still love the water. But I love what God loves more — His people and churches. I have been given much more than my grandfather or father. I don't care. It's just stuff. I'm living the dream.

I want to pass that dream to my children.

I want to pass that dream to you.

God has a message of hope for ordinary people.

God has a message for you.

Is Keith Speaking for You?

Ordinary Guy with an Extraordinary God.

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9