Secular Music that has Influenced me.

So people define things as secular and "Christian" - I try not to differentiate between the two  ... but in order to give more of a credit to those artists that might not of been on the CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) scene ...here are some artists that have influenced me growing up:


I. Elvis. My Mom was a big Elvis fan. I knew when he died. Watched his movies.

II. The Beatles. I remember in 8th grade singing: "when I'm 64" and knowing Yellow submarine.

III. Michael Jackson. Whether or not people loved him, or hated him ... Michael was the King of Pop.

IV. Queen. We are the Champions. Bohemian R.

V. Tesla - (Remember the song: Sign, sign everywhere a sign ...)

VI. Aerosmith - Doing an air band of Janie's Got a Gun in High School ... was very amusing ...

VII.  Anne Murray. Surprise here ..but as a little kid I still remember the song - You are my sunshine.

VIII. Johnny Cash. My Mom loved Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams ... I just like Cash's songs.

IX. Rush. Neal Peart. Best Drummer ever. no questions asked.

X. Run DMC ....

Other mentions: AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Fresh Prince,

My Favourite Movies.

So movies have influenced me ...Here are some of my favourite movies that I could watch again and again.

Here is the criteria I used for these movies.

a. I have seen more than two times.

b. I can quote and act out scenes.

c. It is a classic for a lot of people.

so here they are:

I. Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Classic 80s.

II. The Great Outdoors. Classic John Candy.

III. The Princess Bride. quotable.

IV. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

V. Back to the Future.

VI. Lone Wolf McQuade Classic Chuck Norris.

VII. A Christmas Story. every Christmas Eve - have to watch.

VIII. Field of Dreams.

IX. Mighty Ducks.

X. Rudy.

what are your favourite movies?

Top 10 TV Shows that have Influenced me.

TV shows do influence. You can quote them again and again. Here are some that influenced me growing up.

I. Six Million Dollar Man. I wanted to be the hero.

II. Welcome back, Kotter.  (I wanted to be a sweathog - especially Arnold)

III. WWE Wrestling aka WWF back then. Good guys versus bad. I pretended to be the bad guy just to get on my sister-in-law's nerves. People like Rick Rude, Roddy Piper, Jesse the Body ... I could still imitiate Randy the Macho man Savage. (I had even had the chance to meet a few of the WWE stars including John Stud)

IV.  The Rockford Files. (Before Magnum, Miami Vice, CSI etc ... there was James Garner)

V. Happy Days. I knew the lines. Knew where the phrase "Jumped the shark" came from.

VI. Family Ties. Classic Michael J. Fox.

VII. Highway to Heaven. Before Touched by an Angel ..there was Michael Landon.

VIII. Star Trek. (The Next Generation as well). Each episode seemed to have a story.

IX. Knight Rider. who didn't want a talking car?

X. Cheers - where everyone knew your name.

honorable mention: Little House on the Prairie, The Cosby Show, Alice, Night Court, Mash, A-team, Mork N Mindy.

Top books that have Influenced me.

Besides the Bible. Here are some books that have shaped my thinking:

I. Daring to Dance with God - Jeff Walling.

II. The Peacemaker - Ken Sande.

III. Don't let Jerks get the Best of you.

IV. Preaching that changes lives.

V. They smell like sheep.

VI. The Church in the Bible - Don Dewelt.

VII. Gems of Biblical Doctrine - Denver Sizemore.

VIII. Messy Spirituality - Mike Yaconelli.

IX. Memoirs of Alexander Campbell - Richardson.

X. Seven Habits - Covey.

These are books that I have read again and again and helped me in my ministry.

Honorable mention:

Brothers, we are not professionals.

The book of Hope.

Pastors in Pain.

I think every church leader needs these books in their library.

What ones would you add?

Top 10 History Figures that have Influenced me.

(Besides those in the Bible and especially Jesus - here are some history figures that have influenced me) What about you?


I. Alexander Campbell. (The Restoration Movement of which I love)

II. Winston Churchill - leadership.

III. Pierre Trudeau - being a pioneer.

IV. Ronald Reagan. Dealing with conflict.

V. St. Francis of Assisi- being a living sermon.

VI. Thomas Campbell. Doing what is right - even if unpopular.

VII. Amos Clendenon. Was the first to preach the Ancient gospel to Selkirk then called Rainham. pg. 464 (History of Disciples since 1830s) Sam Fess was an aide to get the church started.

VIII. C.S. Lewis. His writings - along with JRR Tolkien's helped influence me to be a reader, writer, and to use my imagination for God.

IX. Martin Luther. One document changed the church.

X. Isaac Errett. His writings and leadership helped us with the current magazine we have in the Christian Standard.

Top Teachers that have Influenced me.

I. Mr. Martindale. Never forget him showing us his glass eye.

II. Mr. Lees - imparted in me the love of reading. A life long leader is a reader.

III. Mr Skelding. Discipline. He was strict but loved life and teaching. Never forget going to his funeral.

IV. Mr. Nesbitt. The love of history.

V. Mr. and Mrs. Laidlaw - patience, and the love for learning.

VI. President Griffin. The love for the church and the Restoration Movement.

VII. Professors Yager and Steere. - the value of God's Word and doctrine.

VIII. Professor Roach. Communication. Doing what is right.

IX. John Aukerman - leadership. Being the leader God called you to be.

X. Chaplain Bower - compassion, healing, and dealing with end of life issues.

Honorable mention: MACU professors; those in the ministry ... and learning from others everyday.

Top Post Secondary Education Peers that Influenced me at MACU aka RBC

Here are some of my peers that influenced me during my college years.

I. My wife, Valerie. She is my supporter, encourager, and just loves me for being me.

II. Ben Dahmer (aka Uncle Ben) ... who taught me it was easy to have fun and not just be a clown.

III. Jay Hardison. Leadership.

IV. Davon Huss. - Davon knew about everything. He was a walking online wikipedia. Davon is a scholar.

V. Rick Robie. Taught me about balance. Balancing time with fun, and enjoying life. From Rush, Tetris, to other music styles and studies ... Rick was a busy guy from youth ministry at Geneva.

VI. Melvin Priddy. Taught me about doctrine. He always recited Acts 2:38. Its still there. The importance of the whole Bible and its value.

VII. Joseph Mounts. Joseph and Debbie taught me about appreciation for music and worship. So glad for their family.

VIII. Dewayne Woolard. Was my roomie, encourager, and his family was there to listen.

IX. John Slaydon. Boldness. John was bold. He didn't care what people thought about him. He loved people, God, and did what was best. I needed to be more bold at times like John.

X. Brian Bilodeau. Brian was a spiritual leader. (Still is). If there is ever an example of a godly man and someone I hope my own son, Brian, would be .. would be like him.

XI. Other RBC (MACU) students and alumni - from Jeff Bennett to Tony Wolf, Heather Mooney, Betty, Lori, Michelle (The class of 95) and Allen Byers and all the others ...it was about mentorship. RBC (MACU) was family and still is. Everytime I hear Robert Palmer's song "Addicted to love" I think of the time that Michelle, Sharon and Jen all dressed up like those girls for Halloween. I think of Scotter and Dori when they commuted back and forth to Charlotte every weekend. I think of all the friends, mistakes I made. Most of all I think of how God used MACU to change me.

Top 13 Peers that Influenced me in High School.

When I was going to high school in the 80s. (We called in Secondary School BTW) I had a lot of different people speak into my life. Here is a glimpse and what characteristic they taught me.

I. Brent Fess (Hard Work) Seeing him work at the Home Hardware. Hanging in there in the midst of tragedy. (We both lost our fathers as young men) and being family (We are 3rd cousins and were in the same grade). Brent spoke volumes in a lot of people's lives.

II. Connie Miller. (sure I had a crush on her as a teen but also know she was a friend). One of the things I appreciate was when she was struggling - she still listened to a geeky, nerdy guy like myself. Her family was very supportive and kind to me.

III. Colleen Brotherton. Colleen was a godly young person. She was living the faith out. If there is anyone I wish my daughters could be like - would be like Colleen. Her family and sister, Carol ... just loved people and loved God.

IV. Tara Lindemann. I saw her as a friend, scholar. If I was just as half as smart as she was ....

V. Scott Murphy. He taught me patience. He was like a gentle giant. He kept me out of trouble. One time broke up a fight I had gotten myself in. Scott and Dale were friends who knew I was a jerk but put up with me anyways.

VI. Mark Butts and James Walton. They taught me tough skin. They sure did pick on me a lot. But boy was I mouthy, and a jerk at times. Deep down I knew these guys cared.

VII. Dwayne Cline. He taught me and showed me leadership. Probably one of the best Student Council presidents.

VIII. Rusty Tousenard. Rusty taught me friendship. Rusty and I had been friends for years (Ever since he knocked me down and gave me a reality check in Kindergartern ... when I was pretending I was the six Million Dollar man ..but that's another story). Rusty and I weren't close in high school but I know his home was always open. I would drop in and just hang out. I was glad Mrs. T's home was like that

IX. Laura Stevens. She encouraged me. Her dad gave me this book, A 1918 version of A History of the Christian Church by Williston Walker (which I still have).

X. Heather Tanner and Family. (Mentorship). I never forget when they planned to move to PEI. The Orange car, being welcome in their home.

XI. Marc Wilkinson - laughter. Marc and I had good times in youth group ... and the plays that Mrs. C. helped direct. I always thought she would almost lose her temper with us but was patient (Very patient) Marc and I had many laughs together.

XII. Daniel Cormode. (Imagination). Daniel and I worked together several years at OCA from counsellors to Kitchen staff. Never forget the "I'm washing the dishes all day" song we made up or the Killer Tuna casserolle, or the Dish Washing Machine turning into a Time machine, or the Rabid skunk ... good times.

XIII. You. From the love  support and prayers. From my brothers, Dale Martin, Dean Kindy ..David, Freemans, Wayne, Darlene ... and the many others ...(I think of the Stapletons and Donovans)

Who influenced you in high School?

Top 11 Church Leaders/ Ministers that Influenced me.

Here are some church leaders that took a chance on me - and saw potential in me.


I. Terry Tanner. Along with the elders, and youth ministers that were there ... Terry took a chance on me. Someone, as I was growing up ... I was like Elisha .... if only I could have half or be half the godly man he was. (I know he wasn't perfect ... but do know he loved his family, and loved God ... and boy I wanted to be like that)

II. Scott Jacobsen. His scholarship, being a missionary at first, helping at camp and the vision he had for lost people in the Hamilton area.

III. Nelson Deuitch - Nelson was one of the first ones that took a chance on me teaching. I taught on the story of the James and being patient.  This helped shape me in youth ministry - all from a little lesson at camp.

IV. Jim Cormode. Jim's family had an impact. From camp to OCS ...

V. David Dyke. His week's of camp helped challenge, encouage me to be the man of God ..God called me to be.

VI. Monty Smith - their vision to help those who need healing. Thea and Monty were great encouragers.

VII. Mike Siemens. Mike was an Associate at my home church while I was in college struggling. He was a good resounding board.

VIII. Guthrie Veech.  - Probably one of the best supporters I had that kept telling me "don't quit" Hang in there. There is grace, forgiveness and God is great. I loved picking his brain, and the short chats we had.

IX. Steve Hill and Richard Clark. Those Youth Ministry classes were probably the most intense I ever had.

X. Ministers I worked with. Each one brought a different perspective in my life. One said to listen, others helped me when I fell short, others on serving, and others to lead. I value each man of God. From Jerry to Roy to Mike, David, and Dan. I enjoyed the men I worked with during my college years who spoke into my life: Louis Styons and Jim Wismer.

XI. Ministerial Groups. From Ohio to Seminary to Richmond, Raleigh and now my current Fusion Group. These groups were more than just a minister's report and comparison. It was a partnership and support group for those in ministry. We prayed together, laughed together, and cried together. I never forget the disc golf, the hurt who one minister in Raleigh's wife's health was declining. A powerful moment when several dozen ministers stood up at Harvey Powell's funeral and the impact of his life had on other ministers. The current Fusion Group I'm a part of that supports and encourages me. I've learned more from these groups in almost all my 4 years of college combined. It was the school of hard knocks.

Top People that Influenced my Life.

1. My Family. From my Mom to grandma, to my brothers, Lori to my wife, kids, and her family. They helped shape me.

II. My Church family. From the Tanners, Kindys, Madill and Verna Hoover, Sherks, Hoovers, Sevenpifers, Boyds, Cowans, Donovans, House, Burkes, Mills etc. CWF Woman's Group ... so many been praying for me and holding my hand and encouraging me. Couldn't ask for a better church home.

III. Ontario Christian Assembly - OCA. Nothing like camp and learning from people like the Cormodes, Grahams etc.

IV. Ontario Christian Seminary (OCS) Though it no longer it exists - it helped with Youth Rallies, scholarship, the professors had influence on our lives. I never forget our youth group touring Chinatown, going to a Mosque, Hindi Temple etc. in Toronto and the learning experience.

V. Cayuga Secondary School - CSS. From friends to student council to helping with football. With teachers like Mr.Skelding, Mr. Nesbitt. My secondary education helped influence me not only scholarly, and socially but also be a balanced person.

VI. Byng Camp - to the adventures I had with my brother, to my Dad and Mom and camping there. It is more than just my dad working there ... it was family.

VII. Selkirk. From the Home Hardware to the local store to the Blue Water. I had the opportunity to be a newspaper boy, waiter, lawn maintenaince engineer (Cut grass), Stripper (Furniture), and pooper scooper (Sewer) ...doing odd jobs.

VIII. Camp Selkirk: The opportunity to be a counsellor to young teens. All the friends, and sometimes how much I think back how much of a jerk I can be. This Camp taught me to be more responsible. I needed to grow up ... and sometimes I was just immature.

IX. Mid Atlantic Christian University aka RBC (Roanoke Bible College). My post secondary education taught me so much about life, God and seeking Him. The friends, memories, and well pranks  will last a lifetime.

X. Library. The love for books started with the Selkirk Library. One of the first couple books I owned was a Gideon's Bible from My Mom and Dad; a Ferrari book from Mrs. Guch (For being a library assistant in the Rainham library), and a Bible dictionary from Bruce Boyd. I worked in the library for several years while at MACU, and have my own personal library (Thanks to some retired preachers) and literally given hundreds of books away to new youth ministers and preachers as well.

XI. Ministries I served. Things I've learned  Each ministry helped enhance, equip and encouage me to continue on the journey.