Throughout Fred's spiritual journey there have been many who have been great influences on him and his doctrinal viewpoints. As already stated his mentor and close friend Doug Seidel would be first and foremost, but he is in some very good company. Others who reside on Fred's bookshelf are;
Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Frank Turek, Norman Geisler, Hank Hannegraaff, CS Lewis, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Oswald Chambers, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, FF Bruce, Ken Ham and many more.
These are the ministers, Christian leaders and apologists whose teachings have shaped Fred's faith and they are among those he highly recommends to any believer who wishes to grow in their faith and their apologetic ability.
Fred takes a great deal of pleasure, and a bit of pride, in his home life. He is married to, and still deeply in love with his high school sweetheart and wife of 44 years, Debbie. Together they have raised three beautiful and loving children who are the joy of their lives. Michael - 40, Brian - 37, and Kristen - 35. He and Debbie have welcomed two new children, through marriage, into their family, Kaitlyn (Michaels wife), and Cassandra (Brains wife). They are also overjoyed to greet the newest members of the Thornton clan Logan, Cameron, and Madison born to Michael and Kaitlyn and Maxwell born to Brian and Cassandra. Fred enjoys his extended family and friends immensely.
In addition to his biological family, Fred has several "spiritually adopted children" who he also takes great pride and joy in. These are young people who Fred has discipled and shepherded through their teenage and young adult years. In some cases he has even had the pleasure of performing marriages, baptisms and children's dedication services for them. They are Lexy and John Fowler, Jeremy and Joyce Santiago and Benjamin and Tabitha Lewis. These, and many others from Freds time as a Youth Pastor, are scattered all over the country but he still enjoys getting to hear from them and catch up on Birthdays and Holidays.
Fred's other great passion in life is music. He enjoys and listens to most genres of music. As a musician, nothing gives Fred greater pleasure than playing music. He has served for many years as a Worship Leader in his home churches. He plays Guitar and Bass and some piano and keyboards and can keep a beat on a drum kit. He enjoys getting out and performing in public whenever possible, and has regular opportunities to do so, whether that be spiritual worship music or secular popular music. In doing so he frequently has the opportunity to share the Gospel. Having grown up in the '60's & '70's Fred considers himself a bit of a pop music and pop culture expert and particularly a Beatles know-it-all. Needless to say that no one will play the pop culture trivial pursuit or Bible trivia with him.
Chuck Swindoll, Charles Stanley, Frank Turek, Norman Geisler, Hank Hannegraaff, CS Lewis, Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, Oswald Chambers, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, FF Bruce, Ken Ham and many more.
These are the ministers, Christian leaders and apologists whose teachings have shaped Fred's faith and they are among those he highly recommends to any believer who wishes to grow in their faith and their apologetic ability.
Fred takes a great deal of pleasure, and a bit of pride, in his home life. He is married to, and still deeply in love with his high school sweetheart and wife of 44 years, Debbie. Together they have raised three beautiful and loving children who are the joy of their lives. Michael - 40, Brian - 37, and Kristen - 35. He and Debbie have welcomed two new children, through marriage, into their family, Kaitlyn (Michaels wife), and Cassandra (Brains wife). They are also overjoyed to greet the newest members of the Thornton clan Logan, Cameron, and Madison born to Michael and Kaitlyn and Maxwell born to Brian and Cassandra. Fred enjoys his extended family and friends immensely.
In addition to his biological family, Fred has several "spiritually adopted children" who he also takes great pride and joy in. These are young people who Fred has discipled and shepherded through their teenage and young adult years. In some cases he has even had the pleasure of performing marriages, baptisms and children's dedication services for them. They are Lexy and John Fowler, Jeremy and Joyce Santiago and Benjamin and Tabitha Lewis. These, and many others from Freds time as a Youth Pastor, are scattered all over the country but he still enjoys getting to hear from them and catch up on Birthdays and Holidays.
Fred's other great passion in life is music. He enjoys and listens to most genres of music. As a musician, nothing gives Fred greater pleasure than playing music. He has served for many years as a Worship Leader in his home churches. He plays Guitar and Bass and some piano and keyboards and can keep a beat on a drum kit. He enjoys getting out and performing in public whenever possible, and has regular opportunities to do so, whether that be spiritual worship music or secular popular music. In doing so he frequently has the opportunity to share the Gospel. Having grown up in the '60's & '70's Fred considers himself a bit of a pop music and pop culture expert and particularly a Beatles know-it-all. Needless to say that no one will play the pop culture trivial pursuit or Bible trivia with him.