In an interview with Senior Pastor, Bill Purvis, we addressed some questions; issues and thoughts to help you become better acquainted with the pastor. We hope you find this beneficial.

What’s the role of a Pastor?

To provide leadership in the ministry of the local church. This means that he is responsible for seeing that the church is in alignment with the great commission. (The Great Commission is found in Matthew 28:19-20.)

Did you ever imagine you’d be a Pastor?

Never. I didn’t grow up in church, didn’t know anyone in ministry, so at the age of 21 when God called me, it was all brand new for me.

Who were some of the mentors that you had?

I was fortunate to have good mentors. Dr. Rick Cagle was my first. He’s still a friend and guide in my life. Dr. Jim Lee helped me get grounded early on. Dr. A.T. Stewart and his wife Teri guided me and Debbie in marriage principles. Dr. Ike Reighard befriended me when I needed a friend in ministry. John Jacobs showed me how faith actually works. Dr. John Maxwell gave me tools and personal encouragement in leadership. I’m indebted to him and still believe he’s the best gift of this century to the body of Christ. I still stay in touch with my mentors.

What are the sacrifices that CHC makes to keep the church focused on obeying the great commission?

I don’t think of changes as “sacrifices” in our situation (considering the early believers were beaten, stoned, crucified, and thrown to lions for their faith). Giving up a comfortable seat, a close parking place or working in the nursery doesn’t compare to their example of a sacrifice, so we’re not at a sacrifice stage, but we do continually make adjustments. We will always have to decide if tradition or comfort is more important than the souls of our children, grandchildren, or a new generation. That’s a choice that we will always face.

What’s the hardest part of ministry for you personally?

Keeping the whole church focused on the big picture is one. It’s so easy to think narrow, selfish, and in terms of comfort.

Are there other ministry difficulties that you experience?

Yes, the expectation of some people. I cannot be everywhere at all times and personally respond to every need. Nor do I know everything going on in the church. It’s best that I don’t.

How do you handle these challenges?

Our staff and lay-leaders use their gifts and passion for God to meet needs and help the church in all of its many ministries. We could not do all we do without them. They are the best.

You recently wrote your first book, how did that come about?

I am constantly asked by pastors “if I could do ministry all over again, what would I do differently”? My book “Pray for Your Pastor” is my response to that question. I began our Pastors Prayer Partner ministry about 10 years into ministry. I’d do it from day one today. Its’ the ministry that unifies the church and aligns us before God. Our church is a very strong church at the core. Few churches will ever reach this level. We’ve weathered storms that would have crushed most ministries and enjoyed victory because of prayer. The book is a written guide for establishing a Pastors Prayer Partner ministry in any church.

Are you writing more books?

Yes. I’m following a strategy of my advisors in this area, because I’m inexperienced.

Television Ministry, tell us how that’s working, why, and where it’s headed?

My view of television ministry has changed from what it was years ago. Initially, I didn’t understand why a church would use it. Today, I get it. First, one needs a definite call from God to do it. The majority of lost people do not attend church. Television is one of the best tools available to reach them. We’ve reached people for Christ in Iraq, South America, Australia, Japan, all of America, and around the globe. Many who visit our church came because they first saw us on television, so our local church has been helped. I believe in this ministry. Every time I can invest a dollar in this ministry, I’m eager too, because I see the results. I also hear from pastors across the country who get members because of our program. So it’s a major outreach.

How do you react to rumors that are sometimes directed at you or the church?

I laugh. Seriously, I laugh. I think God allows us to hear some rumors, or criticism to give us a laugh. We’ve heard the absurd from having to show a W-2 upon joining, to charging for a parking space, and other ridiculous things. Of course, they’re untrue, but you have to admit, they’re comical.

How do you handle the jealousy some people have for you or the church because God has blessed you so much?

Jealousy is sin and it doesn’t make sense to me. It reveals a lot of pride for someone to question Gods right to bless whom He chooses, or be jealous of Gods favor on another. God doesn’t need to have our permission before He blesses someone. So to the question, I avoid jealous people and ignore pettiness. I choose to associate with loving, mature people.

What drives you?

Souls. I want people who have not been to church, or heard the gospel to receive Christ.

What makes you angry?

Ingratitude, laziness, lack of courage, and the wasting of time.

What encourages you?

I enjoy seeing people win. I pull for anyone rich or poor, regardless of race or nationality, who is authentic, loving, loyal, and passionate for a good cause.

Does it bother you when people question your motives?

No, it’s a mirror, it always reveals their motives. Titus 1:15 says, “unto the pure all things are pure, but unto those who are defiled is nothing pure.”  Meaning if a person is a thief, he thinks everyone steals, if a person is a liar, he thinks others are. Pure hearts see purity, defiled hearts see nothing pure, that’s what this verse tells us. When a heart is free of greed, pride, and such, that heart assumes the best and wants the best for others. The sin we are enslaved by is often the one we search for in others.

Who are your favorite authors?

John Maxwell, Phillip Yancey, Jack Welch, Noel Tichy, & Max Lucado. I read others, but these are always on their game.

How often do you read?

I enjoy reading, so I try to read one or two books per week. I was recently given a kindle, so that’s like reading on steroids for me.

Do you have any regrets or unfulfilled dreams right now?

Not really, how could I? I’ve never deserved one single thing in my life. God has shown me mercy and grace in every area of life. No regrets, just praise to Him. I do have some dreams at the moment that I’m allowing to develop in my soul, but those are between me, my wife and God, and we’re presently living in the direction that is taking us toward them, so we’re on course. I don’t think all dreams should be made public. If they don’t involve or affect others, they should be personal and private. Of course vision for an organization have to be public to be realized.  In the end, God fulfills what He has planned for us and that’s what’s awesome about this journey.

Describe your home life.

I’m blessed. Our home is normal I guess. Active and sometimes trying to get chaotic, but we direct what we can control. Our children are grown and married, so the home isn’t as noisy or busy as it once was, but we’ve adjusted well. The past three or four years have undoubtedly been the very best of our lives. Our home is our oasis. I moved my library and study home when the kids moved out. I used their rooms so they can’t return. We also have two dogs, a great dane named Samson, a golden retriever named Buddy, and two outside cats named Gracie and Aubie, who kill snakes, so I life is good.

Tell us about your wife, Debbie.

She’s the love of my life. Twenty-nine years of marriage in July and I’m still the luckiest man I know. She was a homecoming queen who God prepared especially me. She’s wise, intelligent, confident, quiet, self controlled, and mature. She carries herself with a class that I find attractive. I value her opinion more than anyone else I know. John Maxwell said of her leadership, “Bill has 5,000 in him. Debbie has 10,000 in her.” I think she’s better than two of me. Rick Cagle said, “when you meet Debbie, you can understand Bill’s success”. He’s right.

Did you and Debbie have to make a lot of adjustments in your relationship to build a marriage?

We’ve grown together. When we began we had very little and no understanding of how a marriage worked. We were just ”in love”. Both our driving passions have always been to learn, grow and improve, so that helped. We communicated well, and that also was a plus. We grew to understand that we were different in the way we think, in the gifts we have, and in the way we resolve issues. That was a defining stage for us. I believe the best in people, so I get used by people I let get close to me. She “reads” people well, so I rely on her these days. I’m an “idea-guy” and I’m a generous giver to a fault. She’s observant and discerning. Like any marriage it takes constant work on both our parts to make progress. Sometimes, we bat 500 and sometimes we can’t get on the same page. That’s life for us.

Tell me about your family.

We are blessed with 3 sons. They are all 2 years apart in age and are doing well. They look different from each other, act different, have different gifts and yet they are extremely close to each other. They call each other every day and take “brothers only” trips a few times a year together. B.J. is the oldest, Brent is the middle child and Blake is the youngest.

What are they like?

B.J. looks like I did at his age. He has a Bachelors degree in criminal justice from Auburn University. He and his wife Loryn, live in Southern California. He’s a surfer, has a GREAT sense of humor, is creative and very smart. His wife Loryn is both beautiful and intelligent. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Columbus State University and has been a Young Life leader for many years. They make a great team.

Brent, the second son has high leadership skills. He went to Columbus State and Troy State Universities. He’s now taking seminary classes for personal, in-depth Bible knowledge. His strength is financial administration. His hobbies are: triathlons, biking, running, swimming, & big game hunting. He’s married to a beautiful, smart girl named Carrie. She’s about to graduate with her Masters degree in education from Troy State University and presently teaches school. They’re expecting our first granddaughter in November 2009.

Blake, our youngest son and his wife Victoria have a son named Beau Hudson Purvis. Blake is a full time pilot. He completed his education in the aviation field in South Florida. After he obtained his ratings and sufficient hours in various types of aircraft; he flew medical and other supplies to Haiti and the Dominican Republic for a mission organization. He’s now employed as a full-time pilot in a unique government agency.  He too has been blessed with a beautiful, intelligent wife who’s obtaining her degree in education. They live 8 hours from us, so we don’t see them as much as we’d like.

What are your strengths?

Leadership and communication.

You wouldn’t consider evangelism your gift?

No. Evangelism to me is a command more than a gift. I do personal evangelism, but it’s not any easier for me than it would be for anyone else.

How does the gift of leadership work for you?

I need to see people succeed and things progress. It’s a gift that spots quickly why something is broken or how something can be improved.

How does this help you as a Leader/Pastor?

The church needs it. In most churches, the pastor doesn’t have nor understand leadership gifts. In those circumstances, God raises up lay people with that gift to help the church. When I began ministry, I had that gift, but I’d never known a pastor with it, so I quenched it. All gifts are meant to edify and advance His kingdom. Today it grieves me that the world values leadership more than the church. That’s why they have better leaders. In the church, we accept gifts of mercy, serving, teaching, exhorting, and others but the two gifts we’ve downplayed and resisted are, giving and leadership. The church suffers for that too.

What encourages you most as a pastor of a growing church?

Approximately 800 people pray for me. They are the Pastors Prayer Partners. That is such a blessing that I cannot describe it. It unites us, empowers us, and results in our people loving Jesus and each other.

How do you feel about Cascade Hills?

I love Cascade Hills. I’m proud of this church. I’m proud of what we stand for, of who we are, of the LORD we represent, and I’m not ashamed to say to the world that Cascade Hills is where I worship and experience God at every week. We have never sold out, played the game, or tried to avoid the cost of being a Christ follower. I believe Cascade Hills is the greatest church in America. If I didn’t, I’d be at the one that was. Like watching a child grow up, I’ve watched this church grow from infancy to its present stage and have loved the growth pains, the success, and this journey. You have to understand this environment to appreciate the modern day miracle of Cascade Hills Church. Columbus Georgia is saturated with churches of all kinds. There are few cities in America with as many churches per capita as this area. Churches are everywhere you look in this region. In homes, offices, schools, restaurants, empty buildings, church houses and new ones are beginning every week. People swap churches in this area as much as 3 times in their lifetime. It’s a religious atmosphere and Cascade Hills stepped up and broke from that setting with a mindset for lost people and a cross centered mission. This church was built from day one on lost people. We never went after a member of another church. We took the high road in gaining members and God honored this with amazing favor. We were a purpose driven church long before Rick Warren ever wrote his book. I saw those principles in the Bible. We never picked up code words the church uses to be cool or pretend to be relevant, we were just real from the core and you don’t get that mimicking others, it comes from spending time alone with God. I love Cascade Hills. I love these people. The majority of them have stood with me in adversity and faith adventures that only God could brought us through and He always did. We’re a team here. We’re on assignment from God to obey His will and tell the world of Jesus.

What are the barriers to growth for Cascade Hills?

Our mindset and how we think will always be the greatest obstacle to growth. We have to remember we exist for those not yet reached. We can’t fall into the trap of turning inward, that’s not the way of the cross.

What is the biggest misconception some members have about you?

That’s easy. I hear it often. Some people assume that I make every single decision or at least know about every decision made in the total ministry of the church. I don’t. We have a large staff. I don’t even know some of them. We have almost 8,000 members now. If only 30 staff members make 10 decisions per day, potentially there are 1,500 decisions in a 5-day week that I know nothing about. However, I get blamed for all of those decisions that aren’t popular. On top of this, we have lay-leaders who make decisions they feel best for their ministry. I don’t stand over them and approve every move they make. I will always stand behind the decisions of staff and lay people. It’s a lack of integrity and loyalty not to, but often times I’m defending a decision that I never knew was made. That’s part of the job, and I understand that.

Does everyone who comes into the church “buy- in” to the purpose?

I wish they did, but the answer is no. Some come because they are hurting, some for friendship, some just enjoy the provisions. I hope that in time, after healing or other things happen, that maturity will reach a point that the purpose of the church will be their priority.

You’ve been at Cascade Hills for 26 years. Is retirement or a move in the plans for you?

No. I have said “no” to good opportunities because God called me here. I’ve invested my life, my money, my time, tears and daily prayers here. God clearly called me to this and I’m in His will. I now see another level that I was not sure we would ever reach until now. Every thing is lining up for it to happen.

Last question, and it’s asking a lot. I know you love to read. I’m told your library is large. Now, if you can, provide us with a detailed reading list of what you’ve enjoyed or would recommend in certain areas. Can you do that?

Wow. Alright, let’s go for it. First let me say that books have shaped my thinking and my life. I believe you are shaped by who you associate with and what you read. I may leave out many books that are good, so cut me some slack, here’s some that I can remember leaving an impact on me.
View the full list of Pastor Bill’s recommended reading!