Several years later, Jerry was awarded a Doctor of Literature for a Hebrew workbook he wrote for a seminary in Louisiana. Jerry was ordained 1999.
Jerry is married to Melinda Grace Hatfield who taught junior high and middle school choirs in Levelland and Lubbock for 36 years. She is now enjoying her teacher retirement but continues to offer her skills as a vocal coach and accompanist for the Frenship area schools in Lubbock.
Jerry has mentored several Biblical Hebrew students and currently continues to lead a directed study with a local pastor in reading portions of the Hebrew Bible (OT) most Saturday mornings at United Market Street for fellowship, fun, and to keep his Hebrew reading skills current.
One of the main areas of chaplaincy that continues to be his focus involves exploring ways and means for providing the suffering patient cutting-edge spiritual care. This interest he cultivates as an outreach to other clergy caregivers through yearly in-house educational venues. Jerry has also played a key role in bringing innovative spiritual wellness programs to the medical staff since 2017.
Jerry’s other interests are astronomy and dragonfly photography. He also enjoys reading, writing, and wilderness hiking with his wife in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.