My Testimony

I went to Baptist churches off and on as a child, but once I became a teen, church attendance became an uncommon experience. I knew the truth, and how to be saved, and even believed that I was saved, having been baptized at the age of seven. However, I did not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

I joined the Army when I was 19, and for the next seven years, lived the rough life so common among men in the infantry. I married my wife Renee when I was 21, and to ensure a solid marriage, we were baptized together, making it my second baptism, and I was still lost.

When I was deployed to Iraq, Renee began to regularly attend a local independent Baptist church, and was saved. After returning from Desert Storm, I began to occasionally attend church with her. A few weeks after my return from Iraq, the church was having a men’s fishing retreat. Since I loved fishing, and hadn’t fished at all while deployed during the Gulf War, I decided to go.

Brother Lou Rossi preached a great message on Standing In The Gap, but I thought he was too loud and too long; I just wanted to get back to not catching any fish!

The next morning, however, at about 10AM, on April 27, 1991, the Lord got all over the prayer meeting at that old log cabin. Right on the steps of the porch, I realized I was a complete wretch before God, lost and undone. I willingly gave myself to Him, and asked Him to do with me as He sees fit.

I have never been the same since then.

In August of that year, Bro. Ron Gearis was preaching a meeting at our church, and God called me to preach. The very day I realized He was calling me, I accepted the call.

Since that day, I have preached in nursing homes, jails, prison, living rooms, in open fields, at camps, in revivals, and even in churches! I have preached through as many as two interpreters at a time, both in West Africa and in Peru. I served as an Associate Pastor for a number of years, as the choir and music leader, as Sunday School teacher for nearly every age group but nursery, and served as a deacon.

We have raised two daughters who are both currently attending the Baptist College for World Evangelism in Alpharetta, GA, and are preparing themselves for lives of service to the Lord. They both have offered themselves to serve God on the Mission Field if He calls them, or their future husbands, to serve as missionaries.

Now, God has called us to the mission field of Peru, South America. I was thrilled that the Lord would want to use me as a missionary! I readily accepted the call. Renee and I then applied and were accepted as full time missionaries with Macedonia World Baptist Missions.

After closing down our video production company, we began earnestly pursuing deputation full time. I believe sincerely that while I might not have a great deal of ability, God can use my availability to do great things for Him.

May God use this unworthy servant to accomplish great things for His honor and His glory.