Meet Josh Allday: Austin Grace's new pastor

Josh Allday, Austin Grace pastor, and sons Zachary and Lucas, on a family
outing (picture stolen from his wife Jeanette's Facebook account!).

Rather than post his life story, curricula vitae, or whatever to the blog, we thought a casual questionaire for the new pastor of Austin Grace Church (as of Aug. 1) might be in order. Turns out, Josh isn't too fond of such surveys ... but nonetheless we're thankful for his responses.

Take a read [clarifications and edits in brackets].

What's your full name? 

Joshua Davis Allday
 
Some say you're part of a conspiracy to create a Josh-ocracy within  Austin Grace. Would you agree with or deny that statement?

I hope this is a joke... [It was. Our worship leader is also a Josh.]

Tell us about your family: 

I am married to the love of my life ... Jeanette, and have two amazing boys, Zachary and Lucas. 

Where did you attend seminary? 

I have an undergraduate [bachelor's] degree in psychology from Southern Nazarene University, and was ordained as an elder while serving on the South Texas District [of the Church of the Nazarene].
 
Where did you minister before coming to Austin Grace? 

Pathway Church of the Nazarene, formerly Houston Northwest.

How did you come to know Jesus? 

I grew up in a Christian home, and gave my life to the creator of all things as a small boy. 

Favorite book (besides the 66 in the Protestant canon of the Holy  Bible, of course): 

That is too difficult to answer, for there are too many to choose from.  Some of my favorite authors include C.S. Lewis, Dallas Willard, Moses, Alan Hirsch, Watchman Nee, Neil Cole, Dwight Pryor ...

Favorite book of Bible (since we brought it up!): 

Exodus
 
Last movie watched: 

"Inception"
 
Last book read:

"Untamed" by Alan Hirsch and Debra Hirsch

Last television show watched: 

"SportsCenter"
 
Song currently playing (or next to play) on your vehicle's  CD/MP3/cassette/8-track player? 

Something by Switchfoot or U2 probably
 
What are you currently driving? 

Ford Ranger
 
What would you rather be driving? 

Jeep Rubicon or an old Ford Bronco or a '72 Chevy truck
 
Are you right-handed or left-handed? 

Right
 
Favorite local Austin eating establishment: 

Not sure yet ...

Do you have any hobbies? 

Playing the guitar, soccer, and fishing
 
What is your pet peeve? 

Doctors ... and I have some strange germ phobias ...
 
PC or Mac? 

Mac

Paper or plastic? 

Yes

If you had 30 seconds to tell someone with a very short attention span why they should consider giving their life to Jesus, what would  you say to that person? 

Walk with me for the rest of your life ...
 
What are your office hours, should someone want advice, prayer or counseling?

I am on-call unless it is family day ... I truly am a missionary at heart.  So you will find me in local hot-spots (coffee shops, local eateries, etc.) most of the day.  My office is my laptop and anywhere there is a wi-fi connection.  The reason why is it is very difficult to meet people if I am sitting in an office alone for 40 hours a week, so I go to where people like to congregate. 

Which of the Seven Castaways from "Gilligan's Island" are you the  most like, and why? 

I was more of a "Land of the Lost" fan ...
 
Make up a question and answer it here, please: 

Q: Do you like to answer these type of surveys? 
A: No.