My name is James Michael Spegal. I was born on October 4th 1989 in London, Ohio. Most people call me Mike and a lot of my World Race friends call me Pastor Mike. I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Jesus as my Savior when I was 5 years old. That was the first time God spoke to me, even at such a young age He gave me the wisdom to know that being a Christian meant giving your whole life to God. But soon enough I grew up and found myself to be a Christian Atheist. I believed in everything the bible said, but I lived as if God was dead. After finding myself questioning the bible and something I have believed to be true my entire life, I asked myself why I was doubting so much. This is when God started to actively pursue me and He started to draw me closer and give me a heart of desire for Him. I was living a complacent life, not going anywhere even though I had so many dreams to do big things.
God kept giving me reason to seek Him and I finally came to the point in my life where it was all or nothing. Give my life to God or stop living because in my mind there is no reason or purpose to live without Christ.
So I did the World Race. I made some friends for life. I experienced more than I could ask for and I visited more countries than I ever expected to visit in my life. God has taught me more about Himself and His love and He has grown my desire to something that I can’t comprehend. I love my God and I love being able to talk about Him and abide in Him. Just knowing He is with me everywhere I go and He will provide for me and support me in whatever I do gives me peace and faith that can move mountains. I continue to seek my God everyday and He continues to grow me into the likeness of His Son Jesus. He is changing the way I live.
