Transcript
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Jesse L Hammonds: Welcome to the Healthy,
Wealthy, and Wise podcast with Dr.
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William T.
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Choctaw, MD, JD, where the doctor
helps you unlock your full potential by
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equipping you with tools and knowledge in
the areas of health, wealth, and wisdom.
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Anchored in his experience as a
business executive, a physician
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surveyor for the joint commission,
a former mayor, and over 50 years
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of experience as a general surgeon.
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You've got questions, he's got answers.
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So let's get started.
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Here's Dr.
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William T.
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Choctaw
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Dr William T. Choctaw: md kd.
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Well, thank you very well, very much,
uh, pastor, doctor for joining us today.
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We're absolutely delighted to
have you as part of our Health
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and Wealth and WISE podcast.
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Uh, and, and welcome to
our, our Zoom Studio.
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Dr. Anthony L. Dockery:
Honored to be here.
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Dr William T. Choctaw: Great.
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So let me start off by saying, well,
why don't you sort of tell us who
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you are and, and what you do and,
and, uh, what, what our audience
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Dr. Anthony L. Dockery:
would need to know about you.
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Excellent.
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Well, um, I was born in Orlando, Florida.
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And actually raised, raised
in Detroit, Michigan.
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So, and so that's why I always say I'm
from Detroit, because I was an infant
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when my parents moved us up to Detroit.
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Um, right after high school, I went
into the United States Air Force.
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And after a while I was in the Air
Force, went to college, uh, got a
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degree, and then started competing to
get commissioned, uh, got commissioned,
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then started competing for undergraduate
pilot slots with the Air Force, uh,
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got selected for pilot training, uh,
during that journey, um, acknowledged
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a call to the ministry with the Lord.
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And so I was flying and came
into the ministry and, um, and
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then retired from the military.
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Uh, Pastor McCall was retired from St.
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Stephen and so, uh, but at that time
I was actually looking to go to the
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airlines, I just got hired by American
Airlines, had not gone to training
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with them, but had just got the, um,
congratulatory, uh, letter, and And
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so, but the Lord had the plan for,
to be the senior pastor here at St.
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Stephen.
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I had already served as a minister
of the ed and minister of youth.
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And, uh, and then, uh, came
on as a senior pastor in 2008.
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It's been about 15 years.
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And of course, can't leave out my bride.
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Got married in, uh, 1990.
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Dr William T. Choctaw: Okay, okay.
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That's right.
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Don't want to leave out your bride.
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Let me ask you, what did
you learn from the military?
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I
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Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: Wow,
that's a good, broad question.
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There's so many lessons
to learn in the military.
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Some of the things that I really
appreciate about the military is how
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they are really good at kind of breaking
you down to really learn who you are.
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When you are broken, uh, my grandfather
used to say, truly when you are broken,
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that might be when you're most open.
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And so that's also when, you know,
I think I had more capacity to
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really learn what I was made of
and what I was capable of doing.
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And the military, to me, is one of
the most empowering organizations
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on the planet, uh, for young people.
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And so at 18 years old, you're making
decisions, uh, that are life changing,
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life altering, life dictating.
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Uh, for people.
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And so, uh, that responsibility
really, uh, was something that I
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cherished to, to get that so early.
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Uh, I think another thing the
military really teaches is inclusion.
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You know, they're really about all
races, all cultures, both genders,
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you know, every, everything.
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It's, it's all one big
team, one happy family.
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Uh, trying to find a rhythm,
uh, together, uh, especially
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in the principle of war, right?
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And so, as tensions are going on,
it's even more important, uh, that
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you can find that common ground
and, and learning that we have more,
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uh, that is in common and alike.
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Then that is not a lie.
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So yeah,
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Dr William T. Choctaw: excellent.
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Excellent.
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Um, and I put full disclosure.
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I should say, uh, pastor
doctor is my pastor.
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So I've known him for a number of years.
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And as a matter of fact,
I've been a member of St.
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Stephen's for 45 years.
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So I've seen a lot of this happen.
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Uh, particularly with your growth and,
and, uh, the relationship that you
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had with, with, with Pastor McCall.
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Tell, tell me about that.
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Tell me about how, uh, he sort
of passed the torch to you.
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He basically treated you as his son,
uh, at least that was my perspective.
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Tell me about that relationship and how
that relationship also affected, uh,
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you in terms of what you're doing now.
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What did you
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Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: learn from that?
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Ooh, yeah, another big,
broad question there, Ian.
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You taught me so much.
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I used to say Pastor McCall is a person
that was a father figure, that was a boss,
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that was a friend, that was a mentor.
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Um, he, he really checked all
of the boxes, uh, confidant, uh,
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yeah, he, he really did it all.
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And the teaching of Pats McCall
and the mentoring, Pats McCall
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is one of those from the school
of, it's more caught than taught.
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And so, uh, just hanging around him
and he kind of left it up to me.
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To see and to glean and to gather.
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No, it wasn't a whole lot of
this is how you should do this.
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Watch this It was watch me and you take
it and you should get it if you missed it.
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You missed it.
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That's too bad, you know but um, he
really was one that administration My
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goodness, there's, there's no one on
the planet that I know of, uh, that
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understood administration like he does
and, you know, a lot of people don't know
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in seminary, uh, they don't spend time
or much time on administration, you know,
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when you're going to acquire a building,
when you're maintaining a building,
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you're trying to sell a building, you
know, when you're dealing with the
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city and when you're dealing with, um,
legislator and all those type of things,
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you know, it's, it's just not covered.
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And so, uh, yeah.
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And, uh, and QuickBooks and,
you know, just simple things.
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They, they don't go over
that stuff, unfortunately.
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Um, and so having someone like Dr.
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McCall to give opportunities to share
and to be involved in that, priceless.
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Um, and then, you know, St.
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Stephen.
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It's a progressive church.
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He was one that, uh, pulled St.
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Stephen into the Southern
Baptist Convention.
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Way back in the 70s, uh, when it was
not a popular decision at all, uh, his
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contemporaries really frowned on it, but,
uh, he understood the mission and the
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vision of the Southern Baptist Convention
and knew that it was a better fit for St.
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Stephen than the National Baptist
Convention, uh, which would
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be predominantly, uh, black.
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And so, uh, he's always pioneered
in that way, which then kind of
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leads and segues to the transition.
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Uh, I was not planning to be in this
position, like I said, I was just
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aspiring to go to the airline, you know,
he would be talking about retiring me
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and I said, I literally, I said, I'll
be here until you retire, then that's
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probably right when we'll be working
out for me to go to the airline.
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And, you know, he wasn't really
saying, but I want you to stay here.
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You know, it wasn't that we
weren't talking like that,
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you know, years and years ago.
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It wasn't until the last year or
two when he was saying, Hey, you
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know, this is what I've really been
praying about no matter, you know,
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so yeah, that's how that unfolded.
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And then we had that year together
where I served as the executive pastor.
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And, uh, and then we had one year
where we're both here just really.
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Uh, passing the baton, but we already
had, you know, 19 years prior to that to
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work and walk in harmony with each other.
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I can't tell how much I've learned
and gleaned and experienced,
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uh, with him and his tutelage.
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Dr William T. Choctaw: Well, you know,
I would certainly agree with that, and
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I'll share just a real quick story.
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I guess everybody has a McCall
story, but I've known him for years,
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not personally, but mostly as a
physician and that sort of thing.
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Um, when he was studying for his
doctorate, um, and apparently part
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of the requirement was that you
had to have advisors in different
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areas outside of the ministry.
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who had to sign off.
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They would read your, um, uh, your, your,
your document, uh, your thesis, and, uh,
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either approve or disapprove or whatever.
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So he asked me, I had someone who's
completely outside of, uh, the
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ministry as a position, uh, to be
one of his, uh, thesis advisors,
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and I was honored, obviously, to be
asked, and I said, sure, absolutely.
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So, he says, and I read it, and, true
story, uh, you know, when, when he and I
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met, you know, I said, I, I need to share
something with you, and he said, okay.
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I said, you know, you know, I, I
read your thesis from, uh, top to
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bottom, and I said, to be honest
with you, I don't understand it.
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I, I said, I, I, you know, I said, I'm
not a minister, I'm just a lay person.
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Um, and I said, you
know, you are my pastor.
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And I said, but the way I do things,
you've gotta be the best of the best.
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Right.
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You know, it can't just be that
you, you, you get a C or c plus
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you, you've gotta get the A plus.
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Mm-hmm, truth or, so
I had him do it again.
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I said, I had to do it again and
to his credit, to his credit,
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you know, he did not complain.
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He did not, um, he did not say
anything that was sort of off
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the cuff and he said, okay.
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And he did it again, all of it.
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I reread it.
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I said, this is good.
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Wow.
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And, and, you know, and most
people never knew about it,
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now everybody knows about it.
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Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: Well, that's a
good story, that's a really good story.
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It
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Dr William T. Choctaw: gave me an idea
of the character of the man, is what
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Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: I'm trying to say.
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Absolutely, absolutely.
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And teachability is so important,
regardless of where you aspire
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to or where you have arrived,
that teachability is huge.
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Dr William T. Choctaw: Right.
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And, and,
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Jesse L Hammonds: and
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Dr William T. Choctaw: my,
my coming in with, you've got
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to be the best of the best.
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I, you know, all that other stuff is fine.
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And, and he said, okay.
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And without missing a beat, there were
other people who were also advisors
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that I, I don't, I knew some of them,
but I, I don't know that many of
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them, but, but that always impressed
me along with a lot of other things
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that have impressed me with him.
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But that, that always stuck in my mind
in terms of the, uh, his, his, his,
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desire to be the best of what he did.
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Um, okay, let's, let's, let's sort
of, you, you mentioned your bride
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and tell me about your bride.
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Dr. Anthony L. Dockery:
Tell me about my bride.
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Yes, uh, Yvonne grew
up here in Los Angeles.
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She was a product of California
and, um, loves the Lord.
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I met her, she was already a
believer and we met, uh, I'm at the
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church right now and we met not.
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Three minutes from here, there used to be
a skating rink right over here, and uh,
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we met at that skating rink and the way we
met, we were both getting ready to put on
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our skates, but right when the session was
beginning, and I went to put my shoes in
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a locker, and when I opened up the locker,
there was a bag of Burger King in it.
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It's just Burger King food.
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And so I opened it up and
I'm pulling out Burger King.
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And I turned around to one of my friends.
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Yeah, I turned around to one of my
friends and joked and I said, Man,
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There's the Burger King in the locker.
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And, um, and I said that to him.
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And then Jovani, she started laughing.
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And so when she started laughing, I,
of course she caught my attention.
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I looked, I was like,
oh, , she looks nice, huh?
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Alright, she's laughing.
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I said, Hmm.
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So, uh, later on that evening,
uh, I just remembered that face.
226
00:12:31,175 --> 00:12:34,085
Remember her smile, her smiles
would grab me and her laughing.
227
00:12:34,745 --> 00:12:36,785
So I asked her if she would skate.
228
00:12:37,015 --> 00:12:41,925
And, uh, she said, yes, they used to have
this session called couple skating, right?
229
00:12:42,575 --> 00:12:46,165
And so I asked her if she would skate
during couple skating, and she said, yes.
230
00:12:46,594 --> 00:12:52,145
And the funny part, how in this is, um, as
I was speaking with her, uh, I asked her
231
00:12:52,184 --> 00:12:53,734
right off, I said, so what's your name?
232
00:12:53,734 --> 00:12:57,605
And every time we went around going
around, we were going by the speaker
233
00:12:57,795 --> 00:12:59,194
and I couldn't hear what she said.
234
00:12:59,795 --> 00:13:02,945
And I could only hear E at the end, E.
235
00:13:03,344 --> 00:13:05,395
And I'm like, What is her name?
236
00:13:05,395 --> 00:13:08,714
So I asked her twice and then I'm
like, should I ask her this third time?
237
00:13:08,714 --> 00:13:10,354
I'm like, no, I'm not asking her again.
238
00:13:10,765 --> 00:13:12,365
So we went on with the night.
239
00:13:12,754 --> 00:13:13,824
The night ends.
240
00:13:13,884 --> 00:13:15,425
I asked her Can I have her phone number?
241
00:13:15,425 --> 00:13:19,104
She says no, I don't give up my
phone number, you know this soon.
242
00:13:19,105 --> 00:13:21,644
I'm like, okay Well,
how can I see you again?
243
00:13:21,644 --> 00:13:25,204
She said if you keep coming here,
you'll see me again So, of course
244
00:13:25,224 --> 00:13:29,324
the next Sunday I was at the
skating rink and she wasn't there
245
00:13:32,754 --> 00:13:36,635
So of course I said, I'm going to try
one more Sunday and see if she shows up.
246
00:13:36,635 --> 00:13:40,884
I came back the next Sunday
and I still, and I walked up to
247
00:13:40,885 --> 00:13:42,739
her and I didn't say it's like,
Hey, it's good to see you again.
248
00:13:42,739 --> 00:13:47,274
And I didn't know her name, but I
just played it off and we skated
249
00:13:47,275 --> 00:13:48,935
again and I never said her name.
250
00:13:49,464 --> 00:13:52,805
And then I asked her that day, I said,
well, can I have your phone number?
251
00:13:52,805 --> 00:13:54,844
She said, yeah, you can have
my, I get her phone number.
252
00:13:55,290 --> 00:13:57,189
And that night, I called her.
253
00:13:57,400 --> 00:13:58,189
I said, Hello?
254
00:13:58,370 --> 00:14:00,290
I said, I gotta be honest with you.
255
00:14:00,569 --> 00:14:01,840
I don't know what your name is.
256
00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:02,789
I don't know.
257
00:14:02,790 --> 00:14:03,549
What's your name?
258
00:14:03,899 --> 00:14:04,420
It's just my name.
259
00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:04,910
You don't know
260
00:14:04,930 --> 00:14:05,439
Dr William T. Choctaw: my name?
261
00:14:05,580 --> 00:14:06,909
It's just
262
00:14:06,910 --> 00:14:08,439
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: like,
I said, every time we're going
263
00:14:08,439 --> 00:14:10,189
around, it was, I couldn't hear.
264
00:14:10,290 --> 00:14:12,559
So yeah, she said, it's Javonni.
265
00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:15,520
Like, I thought it was like
Lonnie or Donnie or Shonnie.
266
00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:16,459
I don't know what it was.
267
00:14:19,390 --> 00:14:19,819
Dr William T. Choctaw: That's great.
268
00:14:20,079 --> 00:14:20,210
And
269
00:14:20,240 --> 00:14:21,340
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery:
the rest is history.
270
00:14:21,380 --> 00:14:22,439
The rest is history.
271
00:14:22,439 --> 00:14:23,484
The rest is history.
272
00:14:23,484 --> 00:14:24,127
It is.
273
00:14:24,127 --> 00:14:24,650
Dr William T. Choctaw: It's beautiful.
274
00:14:25,150 --> 00:14:29,960
I noticed one of the things, uh, in
sort of looking over a number of things
275
00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:33,859
that you're involved with, and I'm
going back to your ministry now, uh,
276
00:14:35,390 --> 00:14:40,220
that, uh, certainly, uh, Pastor McCall,
uh, you know, got the church involved
277
00:14:40,220 --> 00:14:43,490
with the Southern Baptist Convention,
but I noticed that you've been very
278
00:14:43,490 --> 00:14:47,829
involved also, um, with the Southern
Baptist Convention, taking it to the
279
00:14:47,829 --> 00:14:49,579
next levels and that sort of thing.
280
00:14:49,579 --> 00:14:53,770
And certainly the way things are going
on in the country, uh, that, that must
281
00:14:53,780 --> 00:14:55,670
be fought with a lot of challenges.
282
00:14:55,670 --> 00:14:59,550
What, what are some of the things that
you've learned, uh, as you've dealt in
283
00:14:59,569 --> 00:15:03,890
the executive, uh, boards of the, um, uh,
284
00:15:03,939 --> 00:15:05,479
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery:
Southern Baptist Organization.
285
00:15:05,620 --> 00:15:06,770
Yeah, another good question.
286
00:15:07,310 --> 00:15:12,600
You know, um, and you've been on many
boards as well, you know, we're around
287
00:15:12,650 --> 00:15:18,565
different people, whether It is those
that come and, uh, help us with our
288
00:15:18,565 --> 00:15:25,305
lawn, or they come and help us with our
roughage and rummage and everything else.
289
00:15:25,384 --> 00:15:31,635
People that help draw blood, or a doctor,
or a lawyer, minister, or whatever.
290
00:15:32,170 --> 00:15:34,730
You know, that common thread,
that common denominator leaks
291
00:15:34,810 --> 00:15:36,830
out that people are people.
292
00:15:37,760 --> 00:15:43,950
And that's what I see more than anything,
even at the executive leadership levels
293
00:15:44,009 --> 00:15:45,250
in the Southern Baptist Convention.
294
00:15:45,259 --> 00:15:49,194
You know, sometimes You think, well, this
was going to be a little different, right?
295
00:15:49,194 --> 00:15:52,625
I can remember thinking, well, you
know, if I learned this skill, get
296
00:15:52,625 --> 00:15:54,314
around this group, they're going
to be a little bit different.
297
00:15:54,585 --> 00:15:57,274
Then you think, Oh, when I get
around this group, Oh, they're
298
00:15:57,274 --> 00:15:58,504
going to be a little bit different.
299
00:16:01,084 --> 00:16:03,204
Find out it's just all people.
300
00:16:03,204 --> 00:16:06,639
And I think I've had the same
thing, even thinking with.
301
00:16:07,170 --> 00:16:09,859
You know, a whole lot of pastors
get together planning this and, you
302
00:16:09,860 --> 00:16:14,979
know, there's 14, uh, what was it,
50, 000 churches, 14 million people
303
00:16:14,979 --> 00:16:16,349
in Southern Baptist Convention.
304
00:16:16,440 --> 00:16:19,360
Oh yes, this, this is going
to be different, right?
305
00:16:20,050 --> 00:16:20,929
It's not different.
306
00:16:20,929 --> 00:16:26,100
It's still dealing with people that
are fraught with brokenness, right?
307
00:16:26,330 --> 00:16:28,820
And, and so that becomes a challenge.
308
00:16:28,820 --> 00:16:30,180
And so it just looks the same.
309
00:16:30,180 --> 00:16:31,120
It smells the same.
310
00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:32,090
It tastes the same.
311
00:16:32,090 --> 00:16:32,700
It is the same.
312
00:16:33,050 --> 00:16:36,419
Um, and so, but it's a
blessing to be there.
313
00:16:36,745 --> 00:16:41,205
Uh, and have a seat at the table, uh,
to have a voice and be a part of the
314
00:16:41,215 --> 00:16:46,214
steering mechanism for the institution
as it, you know, it benefits, uh, St.
315
00:16:46,225 --> 00:16:49,875
Stephen, of course, and it benefits
the kingdom and it benefits SBC.
316
00:16:51,165 --> 00:16:56,455
Uh, and you know, it's no secret that
SBC has been predominantly Caucasian
317
00:16:56,655 --> 00:16:58,555
for, you know, since its inception.
318
00:16:58,925 --> 00:17:04,324
And so, having inclusion is still
a major task and a major piece
319
00:17:04,334 --> 00:17:08,364
for them, but it's, it's actually
happening now and that's, that's huge.
320
00:17:08,584 --> 00:17:11,845
Uh, there are a lot of other
sensitive issues that are not
321
00:17:11,845 --> 00:17:15,524
only spiritual, but they're also
political and they're also social.
322
00:17:16,010 --> 00:17:22,240
You know, like immigration, or, or dealing
with racial social issues, or dealing
323
00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:27,430
with women in ministry and their role
and what they can or cannot do, um, you
324
00:17:27,430 --> 00:17:33,330
know, uh, even legal issues of pastors
and people that have broken the law.
325
00:17:34,040 --> 00:17:37,290
how they've treated people very
similar to what happened with, uh,
326
00:17:37,390 --> 00:17:42,190
the Catholic priests and sexual abuse
and, you know, child molestation.
327
00:17:42,209 --> 00:17:45,470
Oh, I mean, it's just, it's
just the full gamut is there.
328
00:17:45,470 --> 00:17:47,400
So again, I go back to where I started.
329
00:17:47,400 --> 00:17:51,739
It's people gone people as we've
had in the message here at St.
330
00:17:52,490 --> 00:17:52,950
What, what do
331
00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:53,579
Dr William T. Choctaw: you think?
332
00:17:53,629 --> 00:17:57,659
And, and this is my last Southern
Baptist question, but what, what, what
333
00:17:57,659 --> 00:18:03,440
do you think is your What do you bring
to the table, um, that can help them
334
00:18:03,470 --> 00:18:07,770
in your front, from your perspective,
in terms of where they are now?
335
00:18:08,010 --> 00:18:09,290
What do you try to bring to the
336
00:18:09,290 --> 00:18:10,680
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: table with that?
337
00:18:11,239 --> 00:18:12,509
Yeah, another good question.
338
00:18:12,850 --> 00:18:17,049
I think what, what I have been
able to bring in most places
339
00:18:17,050 --> 00:18:20,380
that I am, uh, blessed to serve.
340
00:18:20,685 --> 00:18:26,635
Is toleration and just that gift of
trying to be a peacemaker, uh, trying
341
00:18:26,635 --> 00:18:30,395
to, trying to bring the two or the
three or the four parts together to
342
00:18:30,465 --> 00:18:37,194
find where there is harmony, where there
is some common ground, uh, to kind of
343
00:18:37,224 --> 00:18:43,584
bring down some of the edginess and the
tension, uh, that for sure, and then just
344
00:18:43,615 --> 00:18:46,195
praying for godly wisdom in direction.
345
00:18:46,855 --> 00:18:51,515
You know, uh, as, as we're engaging
in this more, learning a lot of people
346
00:18:51,515 --> 00:18:56,205
make decisions from an emotional
place, uh, from a world view that isn't
347
00:18:56,205 --> 00:19:01,205
necessarily informed by a biblical view,
uh, and, you know, just really trying
348
00:19:01,205 --> 00:19:05,470
to give those subtle reminders that
This is bigger than all of us, right?
349
00:19:05,940 --> 00:19:09,629
All of us, we gotta put our own
personal agendas on the back burner.
350
00:19:09,960 --> 00:19:14,720
And you would think that simple and that
that would be there, but unfortunately,
351
00:19:15,070 --> 00:19:19,350
uh, people get so passionate and so
fixated on their own thing that they start
352
00:19:19,449 --> 00:19:22,100
missing or really do miss the main thing.
353
00:19:22,910 --> 00:19:26,860
So, um, and just helping
people to hear one another.
354
00:19:27,340 --> 00:19:27,690
Yeah.
355
00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:31,210
You know, uh, and just sharing
simple facts like this.
356
00:19:31,239 --> 00:19:35,740
Like, Uh, in our marriage, or in our
friendships, or with our neighbor,
357
00:19:36,249 --> 00:19:42,120
people talk from a position of facts and
feelings, and when you are listening, you
358
00:19:42,120 --> 00:19:45,799
should listen to whether or not they're
sharing a fact, or if they're sharing
359
00:19:45,799 --> 00:19:50,620
a feeling, and if they're sharing a
fact, you should answer or reply with a
360
00:19:50,620 --> 00:19:54,915
fact, but if they're sharing a feeling,
you should You shouldn't answer with
361
00:19:54,915 --> 00:19:56,615
a fact, you should answer with a feel.
362
00:19:56,935 --> 00:20:01,685
And just those simple things that I
think kind of fly over people's heads
363
00:20:01,895 --> 00:20:03,605
in marriage and things like that.
364
00:20:03,605 --> 00:20:06,645
When a wife says she doesn't
have anything to wear, uh,
365
00:20:06,784 --> 00:20:08,624
that's not really a fact, right?
366
00:20:08,705 --> 00:20:10,965
Because fact is, the closet's full.
367
00:20:11,415 --> 00:20:12,295
Right, right.
368
00:20:12,535 --> 00:20:15,675
But what she's really saying is, I
don't feel like there's anything in
369
00:20:15,675 --> 00:20:16,595
here that I want to put onto there.
370
00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:18,020
Yes.
371
00:20:18,260 --> 00:20:22,560
And so, us answering with, the fact
is, you got, you got clothes in
372
00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:25,280
this closet, you got clothes in that
closet, you got clothes in this closet.
373
00:20:25,639 --> 00:20:27,720
Yeah, that's, that's not the
answer you're looking for.
374
00:20:27,750 --> 00:20:29,999
The answer you're looking for, well,
what's, what's going on with you today?
375
00:20:30,000 --> 00:20:32,090
I, I can sense that you're
not feeling alright.
376
00:20:32,090 --> 00:20:34,300
Well, then I give a feeling for a feeling.
377
00:20:34,889 --> 00:20:35,389
Yes.
378
00:20:35,790 --> 00:20:36,459
So it helps.
379
00:20:36,860 --> 00:20:37,189
Yeah.
380
00:20:37,270 --> 00:20:37,749
Good question.
381
00:20:38,310 --> 00:20:40,640
Dr William T. Choctaw: I think one
of the things that, that you have,
382
00:20:41,035 --> 00:20:44,985
One of the ways that you have grown,
and as an observer, I've watched
383
00:20:45,235 --> 00:20:52,035
this over a number of years, is your
ability to work with others, um, that,
384
00:20:52,095 --> 00:20:55,004
that embraces a diversity approach.
385
00:20:55,274 --> 00:20:58,465
And I don't mean diversity just
in terms of race and that, I
386
00:20:58,465 --> 00:20:59,894
mean diversity total, total.
387
00:21:00,375 --> 00:21:05,805
Um, um, and one of the things I've always
believed that everything is a relationship
388
00:21:05,815 --> 00:21:09,505
and, you know, mutual respect,
mutual trust and good communication.
389
00:21:09,955 --> 00:21:13,015
One of the things that
I have noticed in St.
390
00:21:13,015 --> 00:21:18,155
Stephen's, the church that you pastor,
that you actually have, uh, a, a
391
00:21:18,205 --> 00:21:21,625
combination of cultures in the church.
392
00:21:21,625 --> 00:21:28,314
Uh, you have a, a Spanish language
ministry that's mixed in with, with
393
00:21:28,315 --> 00:21:31,035
a basic Southern Baptist ministry.
394
00:21:31,415 --> 00:21:36,365
Uh, you're a predominantly African
American church that's in a neighborhood
395
00:21:36,675 --> 00:21:38,985
or a city that's predominantly Hispanic.
396
00:21:39,364 --> 00:21:40,605
You have a food bank.
397
00:21:40,955 --> 00:21:43,715
that serves a large percentage of Asians.
398
00:21:44,215 --> 00:21:51,074
So, tell me what it is that you
do that allows you to emphasize
399
00:21:51,115 --> 00:21:55,205
or to bring out the strength
of that, of those diversities.
400
00:21:55,555 --> 00:21:58,075
A lot of people say, oh my goodness,
we can't do this, you know.
401
00:21:58,310 --> 00:21:59,010
Blah, blah, blah.
402
00:21:59,179 --> 00:22:01,679
But you, you appear to thrive as a leader.
403
00:22:01,760 --> 00:22:05,820
I mean, as a leader in this particular
environment, what, what, what do you use?
404
00:22:05,899 --> 00:22:07,480
How does that work for you?
405
00:22:07,480 --> 00:22:10,690
What do you use to keep everybody
moving in the same direction,
406
00:22:10,730 --> 00:22:11,510
even though they're very
407
00:22:11,569 --> 00:22:11,879
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: diverse?
408
00:22:13,504 --> 00:22:15,014
Yeah, another another good question.
409
00:22:15,014 --> 00:22:19,165
And like I said at the beginning, I
think that really goes back from the
410
00:22:19,165 --> 00:22:25,405
military and seeing how they're so
diverse and understanding gifts and
411
00:22:25,405 --> 00:22:28,185
talents and the strength and diversity.
412
00:22:28,694 --> 00:22:31,964
Um, and, and then kind
of learning culture.
413
00:22:31,964 --> 00:22:36,455
So another thing the military does is
you, you travel to different places
414
00:22:36,535 --> 00:22:38,025
and you have different exposure.
415
00:22:38,405 --> 00:22:40,035
And you learn how to connect.
416
00:22:40,075 --> 00:22:43,975
You learn the simple things
that help, uh, to build bridges.
417
00:22:44,335 --> 00:22:47,545
And, uh, you also learn the
things that can be a tad bit
418
00:22:47,605 --> 00:22:50,075
offensive and, and put off people.
419
00:22:50,564 --> 00:22:55,834
And so, just those simple things,
you know, now, if you hit those major
420
00:22:55,834 --> 00:23:00,324
continents, if you've been to Europe,
been to China, and, of course, you've
421
00:23:00,355 --> 00:23:04,024
been down under, and you've been to
some of these major places, it gets
422
00:23:04,024 --> 00:23:10,545
to the place where you can kind of
Connect on some level with almost anyone
423
00:23:10,795 --> 00:23:13,204
or any culture that you intersect.
424
00:23:13,705 --> 00:23:18,405
And as soon as that happens, then
you have almost like you need an
425
00:23:18,445 --> 00:23:22,265
asset that's willing to kind of work
with you because they know you're
426
00:23:22,265 --> 00:23:26,625
sensitive to their culture, or you're
sensitive to their race, or you're
427
00:23:26,795 --> 00:23:31,504
sensitive to their worldview, or
you're sensitive to their purpose and
428
00:23:31,504 --> 00:23:33,095
what they're trying to accomplish.
429
00:23:33,825 --> 00:23:38,495
And once people know that you care
about what they care about, yeah, it's
430
00:23:38,735 --> 00:23:42,064
easy because most of us, we just try
to push and promote what we care about.
431
00:23:43,220 --> 00:23:48,400
Just take that moment to say, you know,
so in Chinese culture, you know, matter
432
00:23:48,400 --> 00:23:55,729
of fact, I'll just give it, um, I was at a
CBU graduation on Wednesday and when I was
433
00:23:55,729 --> 00:24:00,289
at the graduation I was sitting next to
a guy that I know is Chinese, Richard Yu,
434
00:24:00,289 --> 00:24:05,230
I've known him a long time, and I asked
him, and I've asked many cultures this
435
00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:10,880
over the years, and races, I said, hey,
um, what's the best way you would want to.
436
00:24:11,324 --> 00:24:17,544
Have someone ask you, what, what is your
country of origin, or what is your native
437
00:24:17,834 --> 00:24:22,024
tongue, or what is your nationality, you
know, because you can ask that in the
438
00:24:22,044 --> 00:24:24,735
United States and people say, America,
you know, I'm American, and you get a
439
00:24:24,735 --> 00:24:29,205
little offended, you know, even though
they look like they're from Africa, or
440
00:24:29,205 --> 00:24:32,334
they sound like they're from Africa, or
they sound like they're from Germany,
441
00:24:32,334 --> 00:24:33,594
or they sound, you know, whatever.
442
00:24:33,985 --> 00:24:39,480
Um, So I asked him, what's the best
way to, and my point is, simple things
443
00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:43,730
like that, where once you've built
a little bit of relationship, learn
444
00:24:43,730 --> 00:24:49,170
how to build that bridge even better
by asking those questions and being
445
00:24:49,170 --> 00:24:52,750
sensitive to the fact that, you know,
there are things that are off putting.
446
00:24:52,989 --> 00:24:57,760
And I know I still need to learn how
to connect even better with people.
447
00:24:58,380 --> 00:25:02,690
And then once you, once you can get
those people all together in a room, then
448
00:25:02,690 --> 00:25:04,990
it's trying to find that common goal.
449
00:25:05,514 --> 00:25:07,205
Uh, for, like here at St.
450
00:25:07,205 --> 00:25:11,425
Stephen's, for ministry or in
servant's arms, uh, to meet needs in
451
00:25:11,425 --> 00:25:17,074
the community, you know, which, or in
SBC, you know, to meet needs globally.
452
00:25:17,635 --> 00:25:19,375
uh, as a global institution.
453
00:25:19,655 --> 00:25:21,735
So, yeah, I
454
00:25:21,735 --> 00:25:25,325
Dr William T. Choctaw: know when I used
to have talks about, uh, multicultural
455
00:25:25,325 --> 00:25:29,724
relationships in healthcare, um, I
used to always use the phrase that
456
00:25:29,745 --> 00:25:31,635
respect transcends all cultures.
457
00:25:32,115 --> 00:25:33,954
You don't have to be an expert.
458
00:25:34,155 --> 00:25:37,534
Uh, you know, I'm certainly not
an expert, but, but be respectful.
459
00:25:37,535 --> 00:25:41,695
And I would use as a clear example, you
know, when you walk into the room, you
460
00:25:41,695 --> 00:25:47,254
know, introduce yourself, shake somebody's
hand, shake everybody's hand in the room.
461
00:25:47,870 --> 00:25:50,830
And you would be amazed that as
a physician, if you do that, even
462
00:25:50,830 --> 00:25:55,860
including the children, how immediately
they say, Oh, this, this doctor is
463
00:25:55,860 --> 00:25:59,210
a little different because nobody's
ever shaken my wife's hand or my
464
00:25:59,210 --> 00:26:03,219
husband's hand or whatever, but just
basic stuff that our parents taught
465
00:26:03,220 --> 00:26:06,000
us, you know, let's just be respectful.
466
00:26:07,095 --> 00:26:12,225
And, uh, and if you start there, uh,
and then just sort of build on that, uh,
467
00:26:12,285 --> 00:26:16,524
but, but I think it's, it's a challenge
is, and I think certainly society is
468
00:26:16,524 --> 00:26:20,135
making it more and more challenging,
but I think it's important to have
469
00:26:20,135 --> 00:26:24,785
leaders like yourself, uh, to get who
demonstrate that and who implement
470
00:26:24,795 --> 00:26:28,855
that, uh, to keep it balanced and
keep us moving in the right direction.
471
00:26:29,145 --> 00:26:30,195
Our diversity is.
472
00:26:31,375 --> 00:26:38,014
uh, I think is Christlike, uh, from, uh,
all the other people that he dealt with
473
00:26:38,024 --> 00:26:43,345
that were not maybe necessary from his
city or his country, uh, but, but, uh,
474
00:26:43,375 --> 00:26:45,504
but you just treat people with respect.
475
00:26:46,074 --> 00:26:46,864
Uh, so.
476
00:26:47,515 --> 00:26:48,525
Let me ask you this.
477
00:26:48,525 --> 00:26:53,925
Um, what, what are some of the, if,
if you had to give a, if you had
478
00:26:53,925 --> 00:26:56,695
to give a masterclass, uh, to, uh,
479
00:26:57,535 --> 00:26:59,964
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: to, I
can't do that, I can't do that.
480
00:27:00,045 --> 00:27:00,235
Dr.
481
00:27:00,385 --> 00:27:01,394
Choctaw, he did the masterclass.
482
00:27:02,494 --> 00:27:03,424
Dr William T. Choctaw: No, no, no, no, no.
483
00:27:03,424 --> 00:27:12,465
I say to, um, 30, 20 year olds, um, and
men and women, Uh, who were about to go
484
00:27:12,465 --> 00:27:16,705
out and, and do different parts of the
country, different parts of the world.
485
00:27:16,895 --> 00:27:20,604
What, what would be some of the things
that you would share with them, uh, in
486
00:27:20,614 --> 00:27:22,764
terms of how they can be effective and,
487
00:27:23,024 --> 00:27:24,684
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: and
make the world a better place?
488
00:27:24,824 --> 00:27:29,974
Yeah, I mean, the, the main thing is
we already said it earlier and, um, and
489
00:27:29,974 --> 00:27:31,294
that's like you talked about with Dr.
490
00:27:31,374 --> 00:27:33,774
McCall, be teachable, right?
491
00:27:33,775 --> 00:27:37,840
That's, that's, it's so important
to Not feel like you know it all.
492
00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:40,600
You know, you come out of high
school and you think, man, I got
493
00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:41,889
my diploma, I know everything.
494
00:27:42,420 --> 00:27:42,710
Right?
495
00:27:42,750 --> 00:27:46,890
You come out of the four year degree, and
you got that diploma, I know everything.
496
00:27:47,549 --> 00:27:50,859
You graduate in the military or
whatever the case, I know everything.
497
00:27:51,039 --> 00:27:54,599
You know, we get to these stages and
we just, I know it all, I know it all.
498
00:27:55,189 --> 00:27:59,560
Teachability is so important,
um, that you don't know it all.
499
00:28:00,145 --> 00:28:04,845
And then the next piece, which is
exactly what you said, is, uh, to have
500
00:28:04,875 --> 00:28:07,905
that respect for whoever is before you.
501
00:28:08,475 --> 00:28:10,825
Uh, even though they don't respect you.
502
00:28:11,284 --> 00:28:11,614
Right.
503
00:28:11,965 --> 00:28:12,935
Respect them.
504
00:28:13,305 --> 00:28:16,594
There's a battle right now between
generations of who's gonna give
505
00:28:16,594 --> 00:28:19,875
the respect, and who demands
respect, and who isn't respected.
506
00:28:20,225 --> 00:28:23,865
And I'm like, if you just give
it, eventually it'll work out.
507
00:28:24,795 --> 00:28:27,835
Just give the respect, and
don't worry about if you get
508
00:28:27,835 --> 00:28:29,655
it back, uh, for young people.
509
00:28:30,129 --> 00:28:32,330
And then preparation, right?
510
00:28:32,330 --> 00:28:37,389
If you're going to go and do something,
whatever that is, then prepare.
511
00:28:37,629 --> 00:28:40,869
And then once you prepare, like
you said, again, I can't, you're,
512
00:28:40,869 --> 00:28:42,370
you're giving the perfect examples.
513
00:28:42,760 --> 00:28:46,560
Don't go for the C plus and
don't go for the B minus, right?
514
00:28:47,120 --> 00:28:50,270
Go for the A plus, go for the 100, right?
515
00:28:50,620 --> 00:28:53,560
Always try to put your very best.
516
00:28:54,135 --> 00:28:55,515
effort out there.
517
00:28:55,845 --> 00:28:59,305
And this is regardless if it's something
you're passionate about or not.
518
00:28:59,615 --> 00:29:02,574
Every opportunity is an interview.
519
00:29:03,205 --> 00:29:06,385
So always dress for success.
520
00:29:06,524 --> 00:29:07,245
Yes.
521
00:29:07,395 --> 00:29:07,835
Always.
522
00:29:07,905 --> 00:29:10,264
Because you never know who's watching.
523
00:29:10,745 --> 00:29:13,425
And so I'm not just talking
about external dress.
524
00:29:13,684 --> 00:29:13,964
Yes.
525
00:29:14,285 --> 00:29:16,794
It's how you present every part of you.
526
00:29:17,075 --> 00:29:18,705
Knowing there's people.
527
00:29:18,764 --> 00:29:22,145
It's because a lot of times
it's You're not even speaking or
528
00:29:22,145 --> 00:29:24,905
doing something for the people
you see and the people you know.
529
00:29:25,625 --> 00:29:28,705
A lot of times you're doing things for
the people you don't see and the people
530
00:29:28,764 --> 00:29:33,535
you don't know, that if you do it right,
eventually you will know and you will
531
00:29:33,535 --> 00:29:36,804
be connected with to push whatever
you're trying to bring even further.
532
00:29:37,245 --> 00:29:38,054
But remembering that.
533
00:29:38,504 --> 00:29:42,064
And, you know, as young people, you know,
we're typically just too short sighted.
534
00:29:42,064 --> 00:29:46,274
So, that's what I mainly try to
convey to them is, uh, to own it.
535
00:29:46,524 --> 00:29:46,875
Excellent.
536
00:29:47,750 --> 00:29:50,340
Dr William T. Choctaw: So, is
there anything else that you
537
00:29:50,340 --> 00:29:51,800
would want to leave with us?
538
00:29:51,800 --> 00:29:55,340
You know, we want to be respectful of your
time and we're very grateful that you've
539
00:29:55,810 --> 00:30:01,410
been gracious enough to, to, to share
some of your words of wisdom, uh, with us.
540
00:30:01,460 --> 00:30:06,109
Um, I, I am very optimistic
about life in the world.
541
00:30:06,139 --> 00:30:09,090
I think, uh, there are a lot of
good people like yourself and
542
00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:10,780
others who are out there every day.
543
00:30:11,295 --> 00:30:12,345
fighting the battles.
544
00:30:12,375 --> 00:30:17,235
And I think that that's what will,
will, will make, um, um, uh, the good
545
00:30:17,865 --> 00:30:20,104
win out in, in the final analysis.
546
00:30:20,405 --> 00:30:23,634
But any, any, anything you want
to leave us with before we,
547
00:30:23,634 --> 00:30:24,635
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: we let you go?
548
00:30:24,804 --> 00:30:25,384
Yes, sir.
549
00:30:25,384 --> 00:30:26,805
I'll leave you with two things.
550
00:30:26,884 --> 00:30:29,194
And again, I appreciate you inviting me.
551
00:30:29,194 --> 00:30:30,315
It's been an honor.
552
00:30:30,885 --> 00:30:36,144
Excellent questions that are insightful,
thought provoking, which is always good.
553
00:30:36,145 --> 00:30:39,625
So grateful for you, sir, and what you
have done and what you have accomplished.
554
00:30:39,965 --> 00:30:45,215
On so many levels, uh, reaching the
pinnacle of the medical profession, being
555
00:30:45,215 --> 00:30:52,254
a surgeon, being a full on lawyer as well,
a politician, I mean, you've done it all.
556
00:30:52,345 --> 00:30:56,754
And to come from where you have come, I'm
sure you put your testimony out there, uh,
557
00:30:56,805 --> 00:31:01,905
it truly has been a beacon light for all
of us, and so I'm grateful to you as well.
558
00:31:02,465 --> 00:31:10,315
Um, but the two things I would close with
is one, is life in general, spiritual,
559
00:31:10,455 --> 00:31:15,095
physical, mental, doesn't matter,
it's about discipline and balance.
560
00:31:15,335 --> 00:31:19,314
So you have to have discipline to just
sit here on this Zoom call, and the people
561
00:31:19,315 --> 00:31:23,144
that are listening have to have discipline
just to sit there and take it all in.
562
00:31:23,505 --> 00:31:26,875
But then, you gotta have balance
with whatever your disciplines are.
563
00:31:27,460 --> 00:31:27,790
Right?
564
00:31:28,010 --> 00:31:32,040
You want to be teachable, but at
the same time, you don't want to,
565
00:31:32,370 --> 00:31:36,090
you know, feel like I sit in the
classroom for the rest of my life
566
00:31:36,090 --> 00:31:38,240
and be a professional student, right?
567
00:31:38,309 --> 00:31:40,770
You want to be confident, but
you don't want to be arrogant.
568
00:31:41,670 --> 00:31:45,569
So there's, life isn't just about
the disciplines, it's also about
569
00:31:45,580 --> 00:31:47,860
balancing the parts in between.
570
00:31:48,260 --> 00:31:51,090
And then it's about balancing
our blessings, which is
571
00:31:51,090 --> 00:31:52,390
time, talent, and treasure.
572
00:31:52,900 --> 00:31:54,670
That I can't spend all my money.
573
00:31:55,250 --> 00:31:56,790
But I can't not spend any money.
574
00:31:57,110 --> 00:32:01,610
I can't burn the candle that both ends
with my life, but I gotta burn the candle.
575
00:32:02,280 --> 00:32:02,610
Right.
576
00:32:03,180 --> 00:32:07,849
And so, it's having balance with my
disciplines, and understanding if I
577
00:32:07,850 --> 00:32:12,379
have discipline in one area of my life,
and that could be eating, then I can
578
00:32:12,379 --> 00:32:16,710
also have discipline in what I say,
and when I say it, and how I say it.
579
00:32:16,710 --> 00:32:20,380
Because once I know I have the discipline
muscle, all I have to do is spread
580
00:32:20,380 --> 00:32:22,030
it through the totality of my life.
581
00:32:22,220 --> 00:32:24,400
And then balance those.
582
00:32:24,785 --> 00:32:29,705
Uh, with God's help, so discipline
and balance, and then the last thing
583
00:32:29,705 --> 00:32:34,164
is what Christ said so clearly, I
didn't come to this world, uh, to
584
00:32:34,175 --> 00:32:36,294
be served, but I came to serve.
585
00:32:36,935 --> 00:32:38,385
And that's why St.
586
00:32:38,385 --> 00:32:43,105
Stephen, our mission and our
vision, all is tied up in be
587
00:32:43,115 --> 00:32:45,435
God's servant, in God's service.
588
00:32:46,050 --> 00:32:46,940
serving God's people.
589
00:32:47,390 --> 00:32:50,720
And so the common denominator
in there is serve.
590
00:32:50,950 --> 00:32:54,490
And do your very best to serve God.
591
00:32:54,919 --> 00:32:57,270
Do your very best if you're in a
local church or local community,
592
00:32:57,270 --> 00:33:01,560
serve the church and do your very
best to serve your community.
593
00:33:02,029 --> 00:33:06,009
And of course, serve your family.
594
00:33:06,009 --> 00:33:08,860
That's what I closed out with,
share with people, be your best
595
00:33:08,870 --> 00:33:10,560
self, put forth your best effort.
596
00:33:11,765 --> 00:33:14,535
God has given you gifts,
talents, and abilities.
597
00:33:14,745 --> 00:33:19,345
Make sure that you wring it
out for everything it is and
598
00:33:19,355 --> 00:33:21,275
give the very best you can.
599
00:33:21,415 --> 00:33:23,845
Don't sham and don't half step.
600
00:33:24,434 --> 00:33:25,035
There's too much going
601
00:33:25,314 --> 00:33:25,414
Dr William T. Choctaw: on.
602
00:33:25,655 --> 00:33:26,345
Exactly.
603
00:33:26,825 --> 00:33:28,765
Thank you very much Pastor Dockery.
604
00:33:28,794 --> 00:33:32,735
May God continue to bless and
keep you, um, and keep you
605
00:33:32,815 --> 00:33:34,705
with us for a very long time.
606
00:33:35,650 --> 00:33:36,880
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery:
Well, thank you as well.
607
00:33:36,920 --> 00:33:37,300
Thank you.
608
00:33:37,560 --> 00:33:37,880
All right.
609
00:33:38,090 --> 00:33:38,960
And Brother Hatch.
610
00:33:38,960 --> 00:33:40,090
sir.
611
00:33:40,090 --> 00:33:41,219
So,
612
00:33:41,219 --> 00:33:45,790
Dr William T. Choctaw: to all of
you listening, have a wonderful day.
613
00:33:46,000 --> 00:33:46,770
God bless.
614
00:33:46,960 --> 00:33:49,140
Okay, Jesse, that's a wrap.
615
00:33:49,469 --> 00:33:50,270
That's a wrap.
616
00:33:50,370 --> 00:33:50,980
We're out.
617
00:33:52,510 --> 00:33:52,740
Thank you.
618
00:33:54,690 --> 00:33:55,030
Thank you.
619
00:33:55,030 --> 00:33:55,390
Thank you.
620
00:33:55,390 --> 00:33:55,920
Thank you.
621
00:33:55,920 --> 00:33:58,680
That was very good.
622
00:33:58,720 --> 00:33:59,540
I enjoyed that.
623
00:33:59,700 --> 00:34:02,140
I'm part of God's sister doctorate.
624
00:34:04,190 --> 00:34:04,450
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: Yeah.
625
00:34:04,690 --> 00:34:06,970
Her skating prowess.
626
00:34:07,490 --> 00:34:07,880
That's
627
00:34:08,230 --> 00:34:08,440
Dr William T. Choctaw: right.
628
00:34:10,420 --> 00:34:15,660
One of the reasons I'll let you go When
we started this, it sort of dawned on me
629
00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:19,600
that in effect This is sort of a legacy.
630
00:34:19,910 --> 00:34:21,360
That's really what this is.
631
00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:23,610
I mean, you can write a book,
you can write an autobiography,
632
00:34:23,610 --> 00:34:25,080
you can do all that, that's fine.
633
00:34:25,679 --> 00:34:29,429
But you can also do a
podcast, and podcasts in
634
00:34:29,429 --> 00:34:30,140
cyberspace, and that's forever.
635
00:34:30,360 --> 00:34:30,750
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: That's forever.
636
00:34:30,759 --> 00:34:31,489
Evergreen.
637
00:34:34,235 --> 00:34:36,925
Dr William T. Choctaw: I think just
having it out there, you know, for
638
00:34:36,925 --> 00:34:39,925
people to listen to whenever they
want it, for you to listen to over
639
00:34:39,925 --> 00:34:45,255
and over again, whatever you want,
I think is a blessing for all of us.
640
00:34:45,535 --> 00:34:50,395
So thank you, thank you, thank you
so much for being willing to take
641
00:34:50,444 --> 00:34:53,965
time out of your business schedule
and to speak to our audience.
642
00:34:53,965 --> 00:34:58,065
And I think we're all blessed,
just from hearing your story.
643
00:34:58,325 --> 00:35:00,254
Because we all learn
things that we don't know.
644
00:35:00,430 --> 00:35:00,600
100
645
00:35:00,600 --> 00:35:01,760
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: percent Yes, sir.
646
00:35:01,880 --> 00:35:02,550
I'm grateful.
647
00:35:02,560 --> 00:35:06,020
I'm grateful that you're putting
yourself out there to share all that
648
00:35:06,020 --> 00:35:07,920
you've learned over the years as well.
649
00:35:08,500 --> 00:35:11,689
And again, like you said before,
a lot of people don't hear
650
00:35:11,710 --> 00:35:13,470
things from a doctor, right?
651
00:35:13,470 --> 00:35:17,829
You get about a minute and a half
in the doctor's office as they're
652
00:35:17,829 --> 00:35:19,480
splitting off to the next person.
653
00:35:19,970 --> 00:35:21,200
And that's it.
654
00:35:21,200 --> 00:35:26,679
So to have you sitting on a podcast
for 30 minutes or an hour or the
655
00:35:26,680 --> 00:35:32,405
masterclass for an hour, two hours, And
having access to an MD and the world
656
00:35:32,405 --> 00:35:34,015
experiences you've had and other things.
657
00:35:34,515 --> 00:35:36,575
It's priceless that you're
willing to avail yourself.
658
00:35:36,725 --> 00:35:38,515
So you're an epitome of what
I was just talking about.
659
00:35:38,775 --> 00:35:40,375
God serving in God's service,
serving God's people.
660
00:35:41,195 --> 00:35:41,505
Right?
661
00:35:41,575 --> 00:35:43,194
And achieving excellence.
662
00:35:43,485 --> 00:35:44,104
All of those things.
663
00:35:44,754 --> 00:35:46,664
Pastor, you know, at the beginning
664
00:35:47,115 --> 00:35:49,224
Dr William T. Choctaw: Uh, when,
and when he came up with the, the
665
00:35:49,225 --> 00:35:54,575
masterclass concept with the Reverend
Collins and I overheard that, that was
666
00:35:54,575 --> 00:35:58,525
Jesse L Hammonds: my thought right
there, that, hey, somebody else needs to
667
00:35:58,525 --> 00:36:03,665
Dr William T. Choctaw: hear this, you
know, and unless they're at the church
668
00:36:03,684 --> 00:36:07,065
Jesse L Hammonds: and with the code to
get into the zoom call and all that, or,
669
00:36:07,675 --> 00:36:12,575
uh, or come to the class, it's going to
stay within the four walls and there,
670
00:36:12,665 --> 00:36:14,405
there's gotta be a way to get that out.
671
00:36:15,725 --> 00:36:16,645
And so,
672
00:36:16,865 --> 00:36:20,645
Dr William T. Choctaw: you know, that's
how a lot of this came to pass as well.
673
00:36:21,125 --> 00:36:24,544
Jesse L Hammonds: And, um, and some,
um, part of the questions I was
674
00:36:24,544 --> 00:36:25,605
Dr William T. Choctaw: going to ask you.
675
00:36:26,075 --> 00:36:28,185
Um, this is, you know,
676
00:36:28,285 --> 00:36:32,545
Jesse L Hammonds: you know, off, off
camera, whatever, but, uh, was, uh, as
677
00:36:32,545 --> 00:36:37,764
it relates to coming out of that, uh,
the pandemic, um, you know, how did
678
00:36:37,765 --> 00:36:41,314
that feel, you know, I mean, what were
some of the challenges there and then
679
00:36:41,654 --> 00:36:44,485
Dr William T. Choctaw: what was
some of the pleasant surprises,
680
00:36:44,704 --> 00:36:51,105
especially as related to, uh, the
digital, you know, uh, landscape
681
00:36:51,575 --> 00:36:56,010
Jesse L Hammonds: and, and how, how
we have had to, you know, Adapt to,
682
00:36:56,590 --> 00:36:58,240
Dr William T. Choctaw: you
know, pandemic and post
683
00:36:58,240 --> 00:36:58,800
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: pandemic.
684
00:36:58,920 --> 00:37:00,640
Yeah, it was huge.
685
00:37:00,690 --> 00:37:05,209
I think the best day was when we
finally had people come back in
686
00:37:05,209 --> 00:37:07,169
person and you could see people again.
687
00:37:07,660 --> 00:37:09,299
Uh, that's been huge.
688
00:37:10,159 --> 00:37:14,630
That day, I mean, I couldn't fight
back the emotion of just seeing
689
00:37:14,630 --> 00:37:17,140
people back or touching people again.
690
00:37:17,610 --> 00:37:21,570
Um, yeah, you just don't know what was
missing until it was really missing.
691
00:37:21,810 --> 00:37:28,215
Um, the Some of the unforeseen is,
like you said, it's, it's now this
692
00:37:28,475 --> 00:37:31,265
electronic reach and touch that we have.
693
00:37:31,375 --> 00:37:35,494
It's, I was at a hospital,
um, out in Indio.
694
00:37:35,495 --> 00:37:39,414
One of our members happened to get sick
out there, so they were still out there.
695
00:37:39,415 --> 00:37:41,384
So I drove out there, see the member.
696
00:37:41,915 --> 00:37:44,355
I walked out, was finished
with our, our member.
697
00:37:44,865 --> 00:37:47,905
And I was walking by another, uh, room.
698
00:37:48,575 --> 00:37:51,925
And there was a family, a couple
people standing by the door, and
699
00:37:51,925 --> 00:37:53,295
some other people in the room.
700
00:37:53,765 --> 00:37:56,355
And as I was walking by,
they were like, Dockery!
701
00:37:56,355 --> 00:37:58,634
You know, turn around,
again, I'm in India.
702
00:37:59,224 --> 00:38:01,064
So I turn around, and I'm like, Hey, hi.
703
00:38:01,615 --> 00:38:04,055
And they're like, Pastor Dockery!
704
00:38:04,705 --> 00:38:06,045
Yeah, that's me, that's me.
705
00:38:06,584 --> 00:38:09,105
And they literally
said, You don't know us.
706
00:38:09,185 --> 00:38:16,255
But we're virtually at church every
single Sunday, like, Oh, great.
707
00:38:16,525 --> 00:38:20,435
And you know, our family members here
sick, you know, you might pray and I'm
708
00:38:20,465 --> 00:38:21,655
like, yeah, we're going to pray for them.
709
00:38:22,165 --> 00:38:25,424
But the point being, have
we not had the pandemic that
710
00:38:25,435 --> 00:38:26,304
probably wouldn't have happened.
711
00:38:26,624 --> 00:38:28,325
And these people are connected.
712
00:38:28,825 --> 00:38:30,655
And said, you're our pastor.
713
00:38:30,705 --> 00:38:32,225
We come every Sunday.
714
00:38:32,335 --> 00:38:33,435
This is our church.
715
00:38:33,625 --> 00:38:34,365
I would have never known.
716
00:38:34,805 --> 00:38:35,105
Right.
717
00:38:35,105 --> 00:38:37,145
And we probably wouldn't
even have this reach.
718
00:38:37,445 --> 00:38:38,505
And that goes on and on.
719
00:38:38,515 --> 00:38:40,865
We look at the metrics of people.
720
00:38:41,195 --> 00:38:44,724
There are people, we have a
huge contingent in Russia.
721
00:38:45,034 --> 00:38:45,584
Huge.
722
00:38:46,034 --> 00:38:46,345
Like huge.
723
00:38:46,925 --> 00:38:47,165
Right.
724
00:38:47,165 --> 00:38:48,195
So where did that come from?
725
00:38:48,685 --> 00:38:49,375
No idea.
726
00:38:49,845 --> 00:38:54,105
Right, but there's a huge contingent
of people every single Sunday
727
00:38:54,105 --> 00:38:56,095
that are watching from Russia.
728
00:38:56,355 --> 00:38:59,385
Uh, and then all over the place,
and all over, there's a whole lot of
729
00:38:59,385 --> 00:39:00,435
them in Russia for whatever reason.
730
00:39:01,025 --> 00:39:01,355
Right.
731
00:39:01,785 --> 00:39:02,035
Yeah.
732
00:39:04,305 --> 00:39:07,875
You know, it was a tough time, obviously,
a lot of loss, a lot of difficulty,
733
00:39:07,875 --> 00:39:09,555
and church still isn't the same.
734
00:39:09,555 --> 00:39:11,345
I mean, but I don't
expect it to be the same.
735
00:39:11,345 --> 00:39:15,534
There's always things that force
corrections and movement, and this has
736
00:39:15,534 --> 00:39:16,745
been our correction and our movement.
737
00:39:17,215 --> 00:39:19,114
So we just gotta work with it.
738
00:39:19,115 --> 00:39:19,644
Part of the,
739
00:39:19,645 --> 00:39:21,205
Dr William T. Choctaw: one of the
things that has really helped St.
740
00:39:21,205 --> 00:39:28,620
Stephen's is you and church leadership
had The idea pre pandemic about Zoom
741
00:39:28,620 --> 00:39:31,290
and that sort of thing, you know,
it didn't start with the pandemic.
742
00:39:31,530 --> 00:39:35,330
So you were just able to build on that,
whereas a lot of other organizations had
743
00:39:35,330 --> 00:39:39,890
to start from scratch when they wanted
to, because they had nothing in place.
744
00:39:39,920 --> 00:39:43,770
At least you had some infrastructure
that you can expand and grow on.
745
00:39:43,770 --> 00:39:49,030
But I think that's another way that
God has blessed us and, and, and, and
746
00:39:49,040 --> 00:39:51,990
grateful also for, for your leadership.
747
00:39:53,750 --> 00:39:58,130
I don't want to keep you too long
and you have a great rest of your
748
00:39:58,130 --> 00:40:00,590
Dr. Anthony L. Dockery: Saturday guys
do the same I'll pray for you guys.
749
00:40:00,590 --> 00:40:01,729
I'm grateful for what you're doing.
750
00:40:01,730 --> 00:40:06,269
Let me pray for y'all for this podcast
Lord continues to use Thank you father.
751
00:40:06,269 --> 00:40:07,680
Thank you for your grace and mercy.
752
00:40:07,689 --> 00:40:11,949
Thank you for being in the midst of
this time grateful for dr Choctaw and
753
00:40:11,950 --> 00:40:16,210
Lord the heart that you gave him to
do this and to serve in his capacity
754
00:40:16,655 --> 00:40:21,415
What we know is countless, and in some
ways even immeasurable, the impact that
755
00:40:21,995 --> 00:40:25,304
he's having and that they're making
in having this podcast and doing the
756
00:40:25,765 --> 00:40:29,364
masterclass, and I praise you Conceited,
use it for your glory, for your honor.
757
00:40:29,865 --> 00:40:32,844
Thank you to Brother Hammonds as
well and his technical prowess and
758
00:40:32,914 --> 00:40:37,595
ability and willingness to serve and
to be there to get this word out.
759
00:40:37,985 --> 00:40:40,405
Uh, where we know the topics
and the things that they're
760
00:40:40,405 --> 00:40:42,435
covering, uh, it is so important.
761
00:40:42,435 --> 00:40:46,225
Even dealing with holiday stresses
and family and issues, we're putting
762
00:40:46,225 --> 00:40:49,415
words out like that in a timely
fashion, right, when people are
763
00:40:49,475 --> 00:40:51,654
dealing with it, is truly a blessing.
764
00:40:51,894 --> 00:40:53,345
So continue to use both of them.
765
00:40:53,620 --> 00:40:56,570
Bless their households and
give them good health and
766
00:40:56,590 --> 00:40:58,200
strength in Jesus Christ's name.
767
00:40:58,200 --> 00:40:58,960
We love you, Lord.
768
00:40:59,220 --> 00:40:59,680
Amen.
769
00:41:00,230 --> 00:41:00,660
Amen.
770
00:41:00,760 --> 00:41:00,970
Thank you
771
00:41:00,970 --> 00:41:02,920
Jesse L Hammonds: for listening
to this episode of the Healthy,
772
00:41:02,920 --> 00:41:05,320
Wealthy, and Wise podcast with Dr.
773
00:41:05,320 --> 00:41:05,790
William T.
774
00:41:05,790 --> 00:41:08,529
Choctaw, MD, JD.
775
00:41:08,530 --> 00:41:12,060
Be sure to check out other great
episodes covering areas of health,
776
00:41:12,259 --> 00:41:16,620
wealth, and wisdom at thwwp.
777
00:41:16,620 --> 00:41:17,110
com.
778
00:41:17,400 --> 00:41:21,010
And while you're there, be sure to
check out the books, blogs, and other
779
00:41:21,010 --> 00:41:23,160
literature in your preferred format.
780
00:41:23,550 --> 00:41:28,730
And don't forget to leave a review,
subscribe, share, and support the podcast.
781
00:41:29,020 --> 00:41:31,820
That's at THWWP.
782
00:41:31,850 --> 00:41:32,500
com.
783
00:41:32,830 --> 00:41:36,679
You've been listening to the healthy,
wealthy, and wise podcast with Dr.
784
00:41:36,680 --> 00:41:37,210
William T.
785
00:41:37,240 --> 00:41:39,980
Choctaw, MD,
786
00:41:39,980 --> 00:41:41,120
Dr William T. Choctaw: JD.
