Our Shepherds
Doyle Porterfield
Shepherd
Doyle was born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas. In his third year at Lubbock Christian College, he met Laura, the girl of his dreams. They decided to leave school, get married, and live on love. They started their marriage adventure in 1986 in Clovis, New Mexico, where Doyle was a DJ for a Christian radio station and Laura was a part time receptionist at the 16th & Pile church of Christ. What a great start to an “edge of your seat” action movie!
Doyle and Laura eventually left Clovis and moved around the southern Midwest for a few years. In 1994 they found themselves in Amarillo, Texas, and have been here ever since. In 1998 they joined with the family at Southwest. As with most of us, their life had its ups and downs over the next several years which resulted in Doyle and Laura visiting other congregations. In 2018, they came home to Southwest for the long haul.
Doyle is a licensed vocational nurse and Laura works as an executive assistant for a local pharmacy benefit management company. They have two children, Derek and Lynsi, and three grandchildren, Hazel, Emelia, and Rowan.
Doyle's Q&A...
What is an interesting fact about you?
I once won $500 in a hotdog eating contest by eating 12 hotdogs in 12 minutes.
What are your hobbies?
Woodcarving, Cricut crafting, Pickleball
Greatest accomplishment?
I went back to school and became a nurse at the age of 49.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
I’ve already done it. In 2019 Laura and I traveled to Israel with Ray Vander Laan and had a hiking tour of the deserts and mountains. We got to walk in “the dust of the Rabbi.”
Favorite Bible verse?
2 Kings 2:23-24 (Look it up)
What is your favorite book (other than the Bible)?
Searching for GOD Knows What by Donald Miller
If you could share just one of Jesus' teachings with someone what would it be?
Luke 15 – The parable of the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son. Three short stories that demonstrate GOD’s unending love for even me.
What do you love about Southwest?
Community in Christ. This family, more than any I have experienced, is willing to meet me where I am and offer to join me on this wonderful journey toward GOD.