I became a Christian at the age of 15 even though I was baptized at the age of 9. The years I spent in between my baptism and my actual saving point were filled with sin, lust, idols, lies, and chaos. I wanted to be the final authority in my life. I dated a girl that I eventually became sexually involved with, I disobeyed my parents regularly, I began to do some experimenting with pot and alcohol, and I stopped going to church altogether. At one point during this period of my life, I completely denounced Christianity altogether. My life was chaotic and dysfunctional at best. It just so happened that God, in His great mercy, chose me from the muck of a life I was leading.
The summer I turned 15, my parents were at their wits-end about what to do with me. They didn't want me influencing my brothers so they gave me an ultimatum. I had to either change my lifestyle or get out of the house. They wanted me to think over the choices so I went on a trucking trip with my dad. He let me know that I was severely hurting my mom and that I needed Christ in my life. When I came home, I had the opportunity to serve as a counselor at a Christian camp (Nomacca) I went to when I was younger. My parents thought this would be a great time for me to be influenced by many strong Christians both my age and older. The only problem was that I had to fill out an application that talked about my faith and walk with God, much like this one. Not wanting to tell these people that I didn't really have a walk with the Lord, I lied about my salvation and testimony. But God, being all powerful and calling me out, allowed me to work at Nomacca. I enjoyed the time I spent there. During one evening service my second week of counseling, the director, Terry Smith, told the gospel story and showed a music video that depicted what Christ went through. It was in that moment, during that service, that I understood my position before God and my need for Christ's death and resurrection. The greatest part of that night was that I, along with a few of my campers, committed my life to Christ.
Since that time, God has been molding me to the image of Christ more and more. The foundation of faith I confessed that night has been my foundation for how I live my life. I have matured because of the influence of strong Christian men and women in my life. I was very blessed by how God used Josh Blackstone in the early stages of my faith to solidify my calling to obedience to Christ.
Since graduating high school in 2006, I have pursued and education in ministry that is quite unique. I have had some formal Bible College education but more recently have enrolled in a program that allows me to obtain my education through church based training. My thoughts on the institutional church have been greatly challenged and I am excited to see what God has in store for His Household during my lifetime. I owe my life to Christ and will serve Him with the gifts that God has put into the very design of my being as long and as best as I can.
