I am so glad to be the Worship Pastor, since September 2007, at Del Norte Baptist Church.  I am a native New Mexican, but have not been a resident since transferred to Wayland Baptist University in 1985.  Since graduating from Wayland Baptist University in 1988 and Southwest Seminary in 1991 I have been a full-time vocational minister.  I completed my Doctor of Worship Studies degree from The Institute for Worship Studies in 2006. Jennifer and I celebrated our twentieth wedding anniversary on August 1, 2007.  Our beautiful and talented daughters, Joy and Melody, are truly the light of our lives.  My grandmother, Velma Pinkston, has lived with us since 1996 and our two Chihuahuas joined the family in 2001. 

More About Ira

- Next time you leave the country where will it be to? Probably Canada or Mexico

- Are you allergic to anything? I am mildly allergic to anything that was ever at one time alive.  My allergy doctor says I am just “an itchy kind-a-guy.”

- Where did you get the shirt you are wearing right now? Jennifer buys all my clothes (except my mom at Christmas)

- What is something that you are looking forward to? I look forward to Sunday morning worship each and every week.

- What song do you want played at your funeral? I Did It My Way” just joking; it’s really “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go”

- What’s your middle name? B. (no name, just an initial)

- Do you know anyone with the same birthday as you? Yes, I can name several, but only one of them was born on November 24, 1965 in the same hospital (Durwood Dale Wofford) in Las Cruces, NM.

- What is one thing that annoys you on TV? Commercials

- Do you speak any other languages? No

- What’s your favorite smell? BBQ restaurant

- If you had to describe yourself in one word – what would it be? Transparent

- What is your dream car? Suburban (any year)

- What is your biggest fear? Failure

- Where did you grow up? Las Cruces, NM

- If it was your last meal on earth and you could have anything you wanted – what would it be? Bacon double cheeseburgers and onion rings, both with ranch dressing

- Who is your favorite biblical character other than Jesus? Peter