About

I was born into a Christian family in the winter of 1982. The doctors discovered that I had a very serious heart condition which would eventually need surgical intervention. But because it was the 80’s, and because I was a newborn, they were not willing to operate. For two years my parents prayed and fasted for me. I had two large churches in the area praying for healing. For the first two years of my life, I went in and out of the hospital with dozens (if not hundreds) of tests, each one confirming that my heart was still very messed up. There were arteries not wired in right, my heart would sometimes put blood in my lungs, and there was a large hole present as well. The day before my surgery my parents brought me into the hospital for one more test. The doctor came into the room and looked over the results and then left. He came back with another associate, and they left. Then all kinds of doctors came into the room looking over the paperwork and touching me. My parents became agitated and demanded to know what was going on. The doctors turned to them and basically said, “we don’t know how to explain this, but your child is completely healed. His heart is healthy and fine.” That very Sunday when my parents went to church a song was played, “Count Your Blessings.” From that moment on, when they heard that song, they cried for it reminded them of the amazingly miraculous healing the Lord God provided for me and for them that day.

At the age of about twelve I gave my life over to Christ after attending a “Royal Ambassadors” camp for children. It was at night and there was a bonfire. The youth pastor preached a sermon about Jesus, and I felt compelled to stand at the altar call. I walked down to the front and accepted Jesus. I will never forget the feeling of total completion and joy which was overflowing from within me that night. I was on a spiritual high for days after. Like so many people I strayed from righteous living and entered into prodigal living. This went on for many years. I struggled so much with myself and with God. I knew that my lifestyle was wrong, and I knew I needed to change but I kept trying to do it my way and that led to constant failure.

It was not until I had a very personal and powerful interaction with God at a Christian concert that I changed for good. I was listening to the songs being played and I could hear that still small voice in the back of my head saying, “are you tired.” It was difficult for me to answer, and I began to cry confessing that I was indeed tired. The voice said, “do you want to change?” and I said “yes.” The voice said, “you’ve said that before” and I responded with, “I know.” Then the voice said, “what will be different this time?” and I responded with “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. From that day moving forward into the present I have never been the same. I have an all-consuming fire inside of me that hungers for God and for the things of God. I now live for Him and try to do things that are pleasing to Him for His glory.