SPANISH FORT, Ala. — On Father’s Day many fathers around the world will be honored for their hard work and dedication. One particular father, Rev. Ernie Billings, looks forward to spending his Father’s Day in church and with his family.

Billings is not only a father, husband and children’s pastor — he is a role model for many.

His kind heart and giving hands are recognized by many in the Spanish Fort community.

Billings grew up in Rhode Island and met his wife, Ruth, while they were attending college in Chattanooga, Tenn., at Tennessee Temple University, a Christian liberal arts college.

Billings received a double bachelor’s degree in communications and Bible.

He enjoyed the audio engineering aspect of the communications field, which led him to work as a disc jockey for a Christian broadcast.

He stayed very busy while working full-time and attending school full-time. The couple has been married for 23 years and have two children, Jennifer 18, and Michael, 16.

“I’ve got a great family,” Billings said one particular afternoon.

Billings enjoys spending time with his wife and children when he has spare time. He and his daughter, Jennifer, love to fish together for whatever is biting that day. Jennifer is also very good cook, according to her father.

“I help clean the dishes after she cooks the meal,” Billings said.

His son, Michael, loves golfing and video games. While Billings is not the video game expert, he tries to identify with his son and his hobby for gaming.

”I love the fact that my kids aren’t afraid to give me a hug each day,” Billings said. “When I get home my son and daughter are ready to give me a big bear hug. That’s what makes it all worthwhile. We try to spend as much time together as we can, whether it’s slipping off to the beach, shopping or eating dinner together. We really enjoy sitting down and eating as a family.”

The family also enjoys talking walks on the Fairhope Pier and chatting over coffee at a local coffee shop. The Billings family is always looking for new projects.They recently planted a garden and have had good luck with their blueberry bush. So far the bush has produced about a handful of blueberries, but the family looks forward to having more blueberries next year once the bush reaches its full potential.

Before rushing off to work he enjoys waking up early and enjoying quality time with his wife. “Every morning I try not to be in a rush out the door. We sip our coffee and that is our time,” Billings said.

Billings is the children’s pastor at Faith Family Fellowship, as well as the director of facilities at the church. He has been with the church for nine years, and has been the children’s pastor since April 2007. He enjoys being the children’s pastor and prepares them for what life is going to bring them.

”Pastor Ernie goes the extra mile in encouraging children to be everything that God made them to be,” Beth Pinyerd, SFUMC children’s ministry director, said.

Each Sunday 50-60 children ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade come to the children’s church.

“Kids are entering the world, and it is our job to prepare them for it. Knowing how to talk them through the challenges of life is very important,” Billings said.

Billings learned most of what he knows from his own father.

“I remember my dad as being a person whose main focus was providing for the family,” Billings said. “He was a consistent hard-worker and would always join us to play ball. If we were shooting hoops he would always come home from work and be tired, but he would always take the time to shoot hoops with us.”

When not spending time with his family or watching his favorite movies, “Star Wars” and “Back to the Future”, he is doing what he can to help others in the community. Each Christmas the church sets up a table at Wal-Mart and volunteers wrap Christmas gifts at no charge. He also volunteered with the church after Hurricane Katrina by taking a trip to the damaged areas of Pascagoula, Miss. They assisted the community with emptying homes and taking all of the soggy materials out.

“It was a great experience,” Billings said. “Just seeing people express themselves the way they did in such a horrible situation was amazing.”

Billings and the church also go to community ballparks on hot days and pass out cold bottled water to parents in the stands watching their children play ball.

“Lately, the church has taken up a great deal of my time for having a dual role. I try to get out on ministry opportunities when I can to help senior adults at their homes,” Billings said.

He says his whole life is woven into the church, and he has to lead all opportunities since they are already here.

Billings is currently looking forward to Vacation Bible School and has been getting everything ready for the event. VBS is set for June 22-27. In the future he hopes to learn how to kayak, but until then he will just enjoy his family and his job, but most importantly, just being Dad.