Elders

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Eph. 2:4-10 (NIV)

Dave Oakley

Dave wasn't born in Carlsbad, NM but he had the good sense to move here in 1955 and attend Junior High and High School. The Oakley's returned to Carlsbad in 1983 to rear their children. Dave and wife Kay have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Dave has a successful financial planning business in Carlsbad with an office in Artesia also. He is a Certified Financial Planner and a Registered Representative with Linsco/Private Ledger. Kay is also registered with the firm.

Dave enjoys teaching adult Bible classes at Sunset and classes in finances at the local University branch. He received his education at Lubbock Christian University and Abilene Christian University, and preached for 30 years.

"But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing you may have life in his name."

John 20:31

Larry Throneberry

Larry became a minister in 1972 and has served in congregations in Tulia and Granbury, Texas, and Roswell, New Mexico. He came to Sunset in 1983. As one of our ministers, he has served as minister of youth and education, and the director of Skyridge Youth Camp. Larry continues to serve as the director of our camp as well as being on one of our shepherds. He and his wife Jeannette have been married for 31 years and have 2 children. Their daughter, Melinda Dunn and her husband live in Leander, Texas. And their son, Nathan, is a student at NMSU-C.

Connie Coalson

Connie was born January, 1931 in La Mesa, New Mexico (near Las Cruces). His father worked for the U.S. Government's Biological Survey and later the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) so they moved around a lot in New Mexico until Connie was 7 years old. They landed in Hope, New Mexico in 1937 and lived there about 2 years. They came to Carlsbad in August, 1939 and he started to school in the 4th grade. Connie was baptized at age 18 at the Fox and Lake Church of Christ. He graduated from high school in 1949 and worked for the Santa Fe railroad for a 1 1/2 years. The Korean War was in progress and his draft number was up to be drafted into the army. He joined the U.S. Navy instead. He was aboard the U.S.S. Marias his entire naval career; the ship was a tanker and we carried jet fuel for aircraft carriers and fuel oil for other ships. Connie was discharged in October, 1954 and returned to Carlsbad, married Greta Bass in January, 1955 and started to engineering college at Las Cruces (New Mexico State University) 3 weeks later. 3 1/2 years later (June, 1958) he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and went to work for Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque. He worked for Sandia 32 years, retired January, 1990. Connie was an elder at the Netherwood Park Church of Christ in Albuquerque for 22 years.

Their first child was born in 1957, the next in 1959 and the last in
1961. All are married, healthy and happy. They have 5 grand kids and 1 great granddaughter. All are faithful Christians, except the great grand baby! They moved back to Carlsbad in January, 1997 to look after my mother and my wife's mother. They placed membership at the Sunset Church of Christ in January, 1997. Connie was installed as one of 6 new elders in October, 2003. He is healthy and happy.

His favorite scriptures are Esther 4:14 and Genesis 45: 7,8. One bit of personal wisdom is: "Don't feed the hand that bites you."