God is good even when we don't deserve it.
I was born in Las Vegas, Nevada and moved to Dallas, Texas at four months old. I grew up as a lover of football and the Dallas Cowboys. I would watch every Dallas Cowboys game I could as a little guy in Texas. I also had a natural ability to throw a football for as long as I can remember. So football became an obsession of mine all the way through high school.
At the age of five my mom and I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada. Shortly after our arrival my little brother Daniel was born. My mom quickly found a church for us to attend. Liberty Baptist Church became a spiritual home for a single mother and a newly saved five-year-old. It was at Liberty where I developed friendships that continue even now.
While at Liberty my mom Ruby met an Indiana farm boy named Troy. They were not perfect parents, but they were exactly what I needed. Shortly after their marriage I got introduced to many other sports like basketball, volleyball, and hockey. I never played anything organized except for football, but my exposure to sports increased due to finally being able to afford ESPN.
While in high school I struggled with what I knew God wanted me to do and what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a rich engineer, and God wanted me to serve others in ministry. Well, twenty-plus years later I am not an engineer but an Associate Pastor at a growing church in Las Vegas. At Southern Hills I serve in Administration. Running the day-to-day operations and even getting to build the occasional building are part of my responsibilities.
Just months before my senior year in college, Kelly and I got married at Liberty Baptist. We moved back to Pensacola so I could finish my undergrad and my master's. Kelly was able to teach at Pensacola Christian Academy. In our seventh year of marriage we had our first son, Shepherd. Two short years after that, Liam made his debut.
My family has been the pride of my life. My wife is amazing at everything she does. Both boys are gifted students and athletes. Hockey is currently the sport of choice for us. All the Murray men play hockey in the Golden Knights programs. Kelly just watches, for now.