Born in Fort Worth, Texas and growing up in the Piney Woods of East Texas (out in the country) has brought John to an understanding about living with trees and without them. He far prefers trees to dust! Nevertheless, after graduating from Carthage High School, John went west to dusty Abilene, Texas, for university studies where he learned, among other useful things, about the seasonal “migrating” of tarantulas. He graduated from Hardin Simmons University in 1987 with a Bachelor of Music degree. From there he continued graduate studies in Music while also remaining active in music ministry.

After marrying Lydia, and serving in full time music ministry positions, the family moved to Jackson so he could attend Reformed Theological Seminary. He graduated from RTS in 1995 (M.Div.) and moved back to Texas, where he served as Assistant Pastor at Arlington Presbyterian Church for 10 years before returning to Mississippi as Assistant Pastor at Lakeland Presbyterian in 2005.

He and Lydia have two children. John enjoys reading, sports, the outdoors and vegetable gardening. He can be reached by email at jduke@lakelandpres.com.