Shining a spotlight on what God is up to in the lives of our congregation, students, and staff. Email lauren@deerlakeumc.org if you're interested in sharing your story.

1. Books or Movies?

Definitely movies. Books put me to sleep. Since I'm a very visual person (really appreciate the sermon

slides, Pastor Bobby and Pastor Luanne), I've got to see it to understand it. Speaking of movies - if you

haven't seen the new Top Gun movie, you're missing something special. Barbara and I saw it at the

Challenger Learning Center IMAX. We were both physically and emotionally drained by the time it was

over.

2. Who are you? How’d you get here?

Who am I? I am John Ellsworth Thompson aka Jet, a product of Jacksonville, FL, Georgia Tech (where

social activities far exceeded study activities), and FSU (where I went so I could graduate). I've been married to the love of my life, Barbara, for 44 years. We have truly become "one flesh" (Genesis 2:24, and Jesus' affirmation in Matthew 19:5). We have two adult children, Ben 36 and Rupali 30- couldn’t be more proud of them. Ben is a Business Analyst with the State Attorney General and Rupali is a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff's Office (you see her every other Sunday morning).

How'd I get here? The Stork? Certainly by the Grace of God! Barbara and I met at FSU. Moved to

Jacksonville, got married, moved to the Philadelphia area, moved back to Jacksonville, and finally in

1989, moved back to Tallahassee. What a wonderful place to raise a family! We joined Killearn Lakes

United Methodist Church/Deer Lake United Methodist Church/Deer Lake Church in December 1989. Did

you know that "Deerlake" is typically one word (i.e., Deerlake Road, Deerlake Middle School) and the

reason our church is named with the two words "Deer Lake" is because DUMC sounded too much like a

rap group as opposed to DLUMC, and DUMC.org was already taken at the time. Really!

3. Tell us something unique about you that we’d never think to ask.

I’m a nerd, although that is pretty obvious. Spent 42 years of my career in Information Technology. Let’s

just say that I’ve seen it all. I’m a firm believer that all nerds fundamentally think alike, and that helps us

in understanding each other’s work, and technology in general.

4. What are you reading/listening to right now that the congregation needs to know about?

I’m not a book person, remember? And listening has no pictures! I’m quite buried in the implementation

of a new sound console/desk/mixer for the Sanctuary, a Midas M32 Live. Our current mixer suffered

some lightning damage and needs to be replaced. So, I’m forced to read the manuals, but also watching lots of YouTube videos.

As for what I'm reading daily, our Journey Through the Bible daily readings is especially important to me. How else is God going to speak to me if I’m not reading what He has written and listening to Him speak through it? For those that may need help with a daily Bible study or may need a kickstart maybe this will help.

5. Where do you currently see God at work in your life?

God has always been at work in my life! Every breath, every heartbeat. I have the distinct advantage of

looking back on the large majority of my life and seeing His Handprints all over it. Quite frankly, I don't

see how anyone can live without Jesus. He is the absolute and only true source of our strength, comfort, peace, and purpose. Life would be empty without Him. One of my life-regrets is that I didn’t truly have a relationship with Him sooner. But it’s never too late! (Matthew 20:1–16)

6. Any final thoughts? (OK, that’s not one of the questions)

I love our church family! Nuff said.