This blog is the brief story about how God has reached into my life, changed my heart, and lead me straight into His arms!
I was born and raised here in Mills River, North Carolina all of my life. Having grown up in a Christian environment I was saved at a very young age. I went to Church for the majority of my life and if asked about my religion I nervously said I was a Christian.
I became interested in the Cub Scouts after having them come to my first grade class and talk. I began as a Tiger Cub in 1998 and after receiving my great grandfather’s Eagle Scout medallion I strived for the rank of Eagle. After graduating Cub Scouts and entering the Boy Scouts, I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2006 at the age of 14. Pride was what I was made out of.
(My Eagle Scout Service Project)
Around the age of 16 I started work and fell out of Church due to lack of interest. It was around this time that I really started getting in trouble. It all started with ‘petty’ theft (taking food from work without paying for it), which lead up to lying, pornography, and being completely deceitful. I was heading down a dark road fast and nothing was going to change me.
Oddly enough, despite the stealing and ‘criminal’ lifestyle I betrayed behind closed doors I had a goal and a mindset to become a cop. I had it all figured out too! I was going to get my masters in criminology then go work for the Border Patrol in Arizona and finally by the age of 30 work for the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). I had no interests in getting married, having kids and expected to be dead by the age of 45. – Looking back all I bet God was laughing the whole time! Haha
(Law Enforcement Training)
While working at a fortune 500 company, I started dating Kelsey, my first girlfriend. We had been going out for about a month when God reached into my life and broke me completely. While working a double shift I stole two DVD’s from my employer and two days later was arrested for Larceny by Employee, (which is a felony offense in NC). Upon getting out of jail and looking at a possible 8 year sentence I was shown mercy and grace and had it taken off my record after doing a bunch of community service and a year of probation. Kelsey stuck through it all with me and probably saved my life.
After we had been dating for a few months I felt God calling my name into ministry. I told God no, (which by the way isn’t a good idea lol He will do what He wants) I didn’t want to lose my girlfriend and my lifestyle just to serve God. So, two months later she dumped me.
I was an emotional wreck and immediately began looking for a new girlfriend. I went to North Asheville Baptist Church in a pursuit to find this girl and instead found the love of my life, Jesus Christ! On January 2nd, 2011, I rededicated my life to Him and have been following Him ever since. Upon discovering this new passion in my heart I started hanging out at CDM (Community Discipleship Missions), where Mark and Kathy Lucas told me about the World Race. A few days after looking at the site I was dedicated!
(NABY Bible Reading)
Well, that’s a pretty rough version of my testimony, but now you know where I am coming from! My past life has been rough, but now I am a complete new creation in Christ and try to live each day second by second absorbing the love that He has for me. I am so grateful and thankful that God has placed me where I am today and has chosen me to spread His word across the nations.
