Hayward Armstrong

Spouse's name/length of marriage: Sherra, 34 years

Children's names: Rachel Wright (married to Eric), Taylor (married to Darrah)

Grandchildren: Callie (8), Abby (5)

Hometown: Huxford, Ala.

Current church: Walnut Street Baptist Church

Current local church ministry: Discipleship training at Iglesia Bautista Nueva Jerusalen

Hobbies: Gardening; restoring a '52 Chevy pickup that I found in a junkyard in 1998.

Most influential person in your life: My wife

Favorite Southern Seminary memory: Two stand out. One was the day when a totally unexpected phone call came from Russell D. Moore asking if I might be interested in coming to Southern. The second was my first anniversary here when my office staff wrote and sang a song to me called "Hayward A. The Distance Ed. King," sung to the tune of "Ethylene the Truck Stop Queen."

What books, beside the Bible, have most influenced you and why: "The Mind of Christ," by T.W. Hunt, because the truths pragmatically reflected there have helped me to stay focused on what is important and been a useful tool to teach others the same; "The Practice of the Presence of God," by Brother Lawrence, because since the time I was first introduced to it more than 30 years ago, it has been a reminder of the profundity of relating simply to the God of the universe.

What influenced your decision to come to Southern Seminary: In 2002, I took a day of personal retreat to evaluate my first 50 years and dream about the next fifty. Through an intentional analysis of the many opportunities the Lord had given me, I discovered that my favorite ministries in the past were related to teaching and administration. As I prayed about the future, I carefully considered the kinds of assignments the Lord might still have for me. Teaching/administration at a seminary or college topped the list. Not many months later, Moore called.

Ministry philosophy: Work hard at current assignment; leave the future to God.

Ministry passion: That training for ministry be available to all who need it

What do you like most about teaching: Affective dialogue

Life Bible verse: Among my favorites are Psalm 34:1, Philippians 4:13, James 1:4, and Proverbs 4:13.

List your favorite: Authors Anne Perry, Robertson McQuilkin. Preachers Darrell Boggs, Hebert Palomino. Music groups Gaither Vocal Band. Movies "Of Mice and Men." TV shows Monk. Restaurants KTs. Vacation spots Bellavista, near Puerto Varas, Chile.