Message received: The Rev. Brad Moore is still preaching 32 years after his calling

The Rev. Brad Moore of Advance First Church in Advance, Mo., didn't need to hear a burning bush speak to know God was speaking to him. Moore said he was sitting on his bicycle on the corner of Catalpa and Grant streets in Dexter, Mo., when he heard what he believed was the voice of God telling him to go to the nursing center close to him, because that would be the place he would preach his first message. Moore did and 32 years later, he is still delivering messages.

What education/background/studies did you go through to become a pastor? I am a graduate of Global University, which is a correspondence university through the Assemblies of God.

How many years have you served as a pastor? Almost 21 years when combining oath pastorates and now as a lead pastor.

When did you become the pastor at your church? Advance First is not my church, it belongs to God, but I have been serving this body for 16 years.

Where are you from and when/why did you move to the Advance area? Half of my life was spent in northeast Arkansas and the other half was in Dexter. My wife and I came to Advance in 1995 when we began pastoring this congregation.

Were you involved with your church before becoming the pastor? No.

What do you think makes this church special? Advance First is committed to a balanced ministry which emphasizes four priorities: celebration, caring, cultivation and communication. We celebrate in worship. We care for one another. We cultivate the fullest spiritual life possible both individually and corporately. We communicate God's truth at every opportunity. We are a place where people can come and be restored to spiritual health. God's plan is for us to have more life than we can ever live (John 10:10) and we strive to instill that in those who worship with us.

What's your favorite verse and why? I don't know that I have one favorite verse. My favorite book right now is the book of Ephesians. It's the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, which is very important to the theme that we hold dear, "Unity for the Community." There weren't numerous churches in these communities in Scripture, there was one church and everyone worshipped together, as it still should be today. In the book of Ephesians, Paul is testifying to them how God, through Jesus sacrifice at Calvary, has opened up the opportunity for every individual to grow up and become life Jesus, fulfilling his desires upon earth today equally efficiently as Jesus did when he walked the sea shores of Galilee.

What program have you done with your church that you are proud of and why? Our outreach ministries, through Joshua generation and Fusion Street Ministries, both minister to a wide variety of teens, taking them on ministry opportunities for personal growth as well as opportunities for servant leadership. Our children's church hosts two age groups and also have an up-and-coming, very active Royal Ranger ministry to boys, much likened to Scouting. We have an equally active Missionette ministry for the girls that meets on Wednesday nights. We are actively reaching out to any and all to grow our community in faith, integrity and the love of Jesus.

What events or occasions does your church have coming up? Dec. 10 and 11 we are doing our first live Nativity in the Umfleet Park here in Advance. There will be a manger, people playing roles of Mary and Joseph, shepherds, angels, etc. with live animals. This will be an opportunity to share the Christmas story with those who would like to drive through and view it, or we will also have parking spaces available for those who would like to get out and get closer to the characters. It will be from 6 to 9 p.m. both nights.

What's your favorite day of the week and why? Sunday is my favorite day of the week. There is no greater enjoyment in my life, than getting to spend a day with my wife and our son, as well as our church family. Many have commented that is exactly how this feels, like a very large family where everyone is loved and accepted

What's your favorite part of being a pastor? It has always and I assume it always will be the maturation process. Watching precious people grow and mature in Christ Jesus becoming all that he desires them to be.

What hobbies do you have? My wife, our son and I enjoy playing golf.

What else do you do besides serve as pastor? I serve on the fire department here in Advance, and I am also a chaplain with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and I serve on the board of education for the Advance School District.

Do you have a prayer, psalm or verse you would like to give our readers for the day? Our marquee has a quote on it right now that is rooted in Psalms 57:7. It says: "To experience any kind of victory, we must be determined."