So this is amazing! I still have a ways to go before I actually start the WR, but it's crazy to think that God has brought me this far already.
I was born and raised in Worcester Mass, until age seven. Due to the work situation, my Dad moved us out to Lebanon OH. Throughout my childhood, we moved about 12 times, so stability in my surroundings was something I really never came to rely on. After moving to three different Counties, we finally settled for a few years at a place just inside Lebanon.
Just before I turned 21, I realized my condition as a sinner, and the awesomeness of God's love for me. Although I had "said a prayer" when I was younger, I know for certain that I wasn't saved. Once Jesus saved me, He became active inside of me, and the molding process began. I've only been saved almost four years now, but God has brought me through some of the hardest struggles and challenges of my life, in victory. I knew from the first year I was saved, that I wasn't comfortable with the ideas of going to college, getting a good job, marrying, having kids and then retiring at a decent age till I died. It just had emptiness written alll over it. What I saw in my church, and other churches in the community, and what I read in the Bible just didn't match up. I read in Acts how the church was alive and active in all kinds of ways. I read through the life of Jesus multiple times, and how the early apostles and others ministry took place, the miraculous things that God had done. I knew that those things still happened today, but I didn't see them anywhere. The places I did see them, where on TV, but it doesn't take the gift of discernment to know that God is not in most of those. I know that God still does wonders, but I think that if we would just seek God and want Him and His kingdom, instead of being miracle seekers, He would most likely use us to perform miracles for His praise, fame and glory.
I grew up in a musical family, and was handed a cello at age 11, which I studied and played for about ten years. I was getting ready to go to college for cello, I was told that I had a full ride scholarship at Wright State University if I wanted it, but I could not get over the internal voice that cautioned me to not go, to be still and wait. So that's what I did. A few years down the road now from that time, and I understand now to some extent why God had not wanted me there. He had other plans for me, and was preparing me for a life of walking in and being led by the Spirit. It would take to long to write out everything Jesus has done in my life over this last summer, but I'm sure I'll meet a lot of you and be able to share about the goodness and faithfulness of our God.
So that is in a nut shell, my first 23 years of life. I cannot imagine what else God has in store for me and my team as we dive into ministry, but I know whatever comes God will be in the lead, through the valleys and heights of the coming trip.
Mike
