Jerry’s bio

Elder

Hometown: Roanoke, VA

Family: Pam and I have been married since August 1974.  We have a son and daughter and four grandchildren, who we love spending time with. We also have two rescue labs. Pam is a retired schoolteacher and I am retired from the insurance industry.  

Education: AAS from VWCC in Criminal Justice and a BS in Management of Human Resources from Bluefield College.

Background: I served in the US Navy and with the Roanoke City Police Department before moving into Insurance Investigations with Nationwide Insurance.  Pam and I have been members of Orchard Hills Church since 2004 and I began serving as an Elder in 2015. I am a volunteer with the Red Cross and League for Animal Protection Shelter.

Something not many people know about me: I was a Flight Instructor and helped start the Roanoke City Magnet Schools Aeronautical Science Program.  My first two students to get their Private Pilot licenses were seniors in high school.

Passion at Orchard Hills Church: My passion for Orchard Hills Church is that we would shine the light of God’s love on everyone who enters our doors, on our community and in all areas where any of us may go.   These areas should not just be traditional church-related activities, but should include where we work, where we volunteer, where we play and where we live.  Folks should look at OHC and say that the Love of Christ is truly oozing out of our walls and all over the community and that they want some of that!

Favorite Illustration of Biblical Truth: Romans 5:8 …For while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  It is not unusual for us to think that, before Christ will accept us, we have to change what we are doing… We think we have to scrub ourselves clean and make ourselves more presentable. But, Christ does not need us to do those things to accept us… I am so thankful that He wants us and loves us just the way we are and the changes that occur in us will be the result of our relationship with Him.