God makes Himself known to us in many ways. The book of Romans says “His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen through creation.” Very often we are unaware that He is pursuing us and we can often be unaware of His hand at work in and around our lives. This was the case with my life.

 Attending church was a familiar event for my family. We were often the ones who arrived first and unlocked the doors and as well as the ones who turned the lights off and leave. We were at church Sunday morning, night, Wednesday night, Thursday night to clean. I even learned to drive in the back parking lot of the church with a friend while waiting for my father finish in the church. When I was around 9 years old, God used the weekly teaching and preaching of the Bible to bring me to Himself. Although I tried to be a good person as I was taught at home and in church, I realized the frustration that I could never meet God’s standard. His standard was perfection and although I thought I was pretty good, I fell way short even as a 9-year-old.

 But the Bible said God gave me something I didn’t deserve…that He provided a substitute in my place which was perfect and a substitute which met God’s standard. A substitute that didn’t require my hard work to earn, it was a gift. Jesus was that gift. God made it clear that I was a sinner and I needed a savior and I trusted Christ at that point in my life.

 My life was different and I knew that God had changed me. Unfortunately the understanding of growing as a believer was not strongly promoted in our church so after this time I was easily persuaded to hang out with school friends who were far from spiritually minded. Pleasing friends by following the crowd became my motivation since I had little other spiritual growth and influence during by teenage years. Many of the friends I partied with were at church with me on Sunday morning.

 During my senior year of high school the Lord used many events to bring me to a point of recognizing that I was not being honest with my self, my family and friends. The dissatisfaction grew in my life with my inability to do the right things no mater how hard I tried with my own strength. I remember praying that God would strengthen me spiritually the summer before leaving for college so I could withstand the temptations I would inevitably be confronted with. What I didn’t understand was the need for Christian fellowship to challenge me and help me grow. Although I didn’t grow much spiritually that particular summer, God answered that prayer by surrounding me with friends at school who wanted to help me grow spiritually and for the first time I understood how important the godly influence of other believers studying the Bible and praying together can be. The Lord lead me to a church that understood the needs of College students and I grew to love reading the Bible and grew in my desire to honor God with my life.

 There is no way I could have orchestrated these life events, God is so faithful to protect and provide in our lives the things that are eternal. He can be trusted. He desires that we know Him and he has provided the way through our Lord Jesus Christ. John 6:37-40.

 Because of the grace and love God has demonstrated toward me, my motivation to see others grow and mature spiritually through His church is natural. While I was single I had the privilege of serving as a college student leader while at the University of Tennessee and later in Atlanta as a leader in an international student ministry that grew from 30 students to over 300. Meeting Christians from all over the world was both a privilege and a humbling experience especially when listening to many of these students pray for their fellow students, families and countrymen with such compassion.

 In 1989 Tina and I met and were married and our serving turned to preschool and young married families. Now it is a privilege for my family and me to serve and grow with you at Christ Presbyterian Church.