I grew up in a small church in Gaffney, SC. As far back as I can remember I heard about Jesus dying on the cross and being resurrected on the third day. But I grew up not making a decision to receive Jesus’ forgiveness for my sins. I remember my parents teaching me how to live and what to stay away from like drugs, alcohol, and sex. I wanted to please them so I made a decision that I would not do any of the things you shouldn’t do. Basically, I wanted to live a good life, even a righteous life. But I had not received Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

I was raised in a strong Christian environment. My father was a deacon and my mom was active in children’s ministry. I was always around church and involved in lots of activities and programs. I was a “good kid,” and it was our way of life.

I felt a longing for Christ and prayed to receive Him at a revival one night at an early age. I did not want to spend eternity separated from God’s love. All was great for awhile….but over the next several years I became consumed with sports of all kinds. I attended church, but God was not first in my life. After college I became a teacher and coach and let the coaching playbook have priority in my life.

I was still active in church, but I was serving two masters–my lip service said God was #1 in my life, but my time, energy and devotion said it was my football (sports) career. I was lukewarm and unhappy—so I got down on my knees, repented, and rededicated my life to the Lord. I am still an undeserving sinner saved by grace, but my passion is for God now!!! Pastor Hamlet and the singles ministry have helped me to put God first and enjoy my walk (Psalm 119:35).
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I was raised with good moral values and loving parents who tried to show me how to live. We occasionally went to my grandfather’s church where he was the pastor in San Bruno. I had trouble in my childhood understanding why God put us here, if we were going to die anyway, what was the purpose of living? I had a friend who invited me to go to the youth nights at her church. In my life, I knew right from wrong, but she asked me one night where was I going to spend my eternal life? She told me it was just one step to get to Heaven, that night I prayed the sinner’s prayer. I was 12 years old. I was baptized later in 1981.

In 1982, I rebelled. I slept with a man whom I had loved for a long time. We knew what the Bible said about marriage, but I justified it in my head, thinking one day I would marry him. What a rude awakening, I was full of guilt and shame. I moved out and lived on my own; but I kept going to church. My Sunday school teacher knew of my shame. We looked up Scripture and He told me how God does forgive me from my sin, as far as the east is to the west. (Psalms 103:12) It was then I started to understand how much my Savior gave up for me just because He loved me. (John 3:16) All He asked from me was to follow Him. My transformation started.

God provided a Christian man in my life who served on the music ministry at a local church; we married in 1988. We had trouble conceiving children. But, God told me if I had faith as small as a mustard seed, then He would provide. (Matthew 17:20) I now have two boys. We went to church as a family, but again, we did not have family devotions at home. I thought my life was full and was very grateful for what God did provide me. Then, tragedy struck, my husband left me and my children in 2005. God opened my eyes to see that Christians still struggle with the desires of the world. It is a CHOICE to do what we want or to follow Christ. This does not mean I will never have difficulties in my life! God does have a purpose in each of our lives and that is to show others who Christ is. He promised He would never leave me nor forsake me. When I am weak, He does make me strong. He is the potter who molds me how He wants me to be. If there is anything good that comes from me, it is not of me, it is my God who lives in me and makes me the person He wants me to be. Do I continue to follow His will? I strive to; I have to remember to put on the armor everyday.

I was born in rural North Carolina,the fourth of five children. My parents were both Christian and took us to church all the time. I grew up hearing the Bible preached and taught and never really did anything “bad”. I remember thinking that I was a pretty good boy, but I was always uncomfortable inside during the invitation or when the preacher would talk about hell. I was afraid that I would go to hell if I died and be seperated from my family. I was afraid but I didn’t turn my heart over to God.

Growing up I was always the good one and the quiet one. Many people have a dream for their life. I had 3 dreams. I wanted to sing, act, and make people laugh. The only problem was that I was the shyest person you would ever have met. I was the one in the back of the class room never talking and praying. The teacher would never call on me. One time she did. I tried to read aloud in class and almost hyperventilated. This was my life…. shy, quiet Brad.One day my youth directors at church asked me point blank, did I know Jesus as my savior? I had to say no. That weekend I struggled with that question. The next Sunday I knew I had to go down and receive Jesus as my savior. But Satan, knowing my fear, tried to stop that. I could hear, “What will your friends think? You will have to stand before all those people. You will never do it.” Then I heard a very soft voice, “If you will only take the first step, I will do the rest.” To this day I don’t remember walking down the aisle to the front of the Church. When I got down there, I prayed to receive Christ. I believed that He died for my sins and that he rose again to show His victory over that sin.Since I became a Christian, my life has been a little different. God has allowed me to be in a local Christian singing group where I was able to sing and give my testimony on local Christian television. God has allowed me to act in many local plays and musicals even in our very own Passion Play where I played a leper that was healed. God also allowed me to make people laugh… just ask my friends, they think I am a riot! Please don’t misunderstand, I am not bragging. Am I the best singer? Hardly.  Am I the best actor? Not by a long shot. Am I the funniest person you will meet?  No. But do you see it? With every dream I had God not only fulfilled my dream, but allowed me to proclaim the name of Jesus in every one of them. I know being a leper in a play and a crazed Cheerleader in a skit is a stretch to leading people to Christ. But as a great and wise pastor once said….”It’s all connected.”