Before I came to know Christ my life was one filled with complete emptiness. I had an addiction to the lust of the flesh. My addiction was fueled by the internet and allowed me to carry on till I was 27 years old. I spent who knows how much money and hours upon hours of wasted time looking for something to fulfill my addiction, but I was always left with guilt and emptiness. I carried on like this day after day for many years.I was introduced to a man named Rex Blanton through First North who encouraged me to take a class he was teaching. During the  Self-Confrontation class I still had my addiction, but with the help of Rex, the class and the Bible I began wondering if I was really saved and if I was how come no amount of prayer would free me from my addiction? On Jan. 28, 2007 I heard a testimony of a man talking about knowing about Jesus but not ever really accepting Jesus. When I heard this I was shaken. I trembled where I sat and I wept. I was scared and did not give my life to Christ during that service, but I went back that evening and gave my life to Christ.

Born and raised in a poor rural community in North Carolina. We lived one mile from First Broad Baptist Church where we attended most every Sunday. Dad did not go very often but Mother always took us. At age 10 or 12 I did walk forward and talked with the pastor. I don’t remember anything he said or what I said. Our church had no baptistery but the local nursing home did. So one Sunday afternoon my parents, the pastor, and a few others were present when I was baptized. Nothing changed in my life. I grew up and got married. When Jane and I were married we soon moved to Spartanburg County and at the invitation of some friends we attended a Baptist church in the area. We both were very active serving in many capacities and the church voted me to serve as a deacon. The more I did and the more I attended, the less I was satisfied. Something was missing.

One Sunday night we visited a local church. The service started with it seemed like 20 people being baptized. Tears filled my eyes. I was spiritually starving for something. We came back a few weeks later and we joined the church. The pastor would end every sermon with “If you are not sure if you died tonight that you would spend eternity in Heaven you need to come forward and get your life right”. I always had doubts; I was not sure where I would spend eternity when I died. I knew facts about Jesus and I attended church and was baptized as a child but I still had doubts. Finally I called a good friend and asked him to meet me to talk about my doubts. We sat in the car in a restaurant parking lot in Spartanburg while I told him my doubts and he shared with me the scriptures. “Those that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”. Sins past, present, and future shall be forgiven, and that Jesus is preparing a place in Heaven for those who accept him as Lord and Savior. I prayed that day in the car for Jesus to forgive my sins, and take control of my life. Next Sunday I made my decision public at church and was baptized a few weeks later.

Today I have no doubts about where I will spend eternity. I will spend it with Jesus in Heaven. My sins have been forgiven but I still sin and still must ask for forgiveness daily. I have much yet to learn about God and what He wants to do through me. I pray for an open heart to receive his leadership.

Born and raised in Spartanburg, I am the grandson of a Baptist minister, however I was not raised in church. I did however have a normal and relatively happy childhood with both mother and father in the home.

At age 23 with a newborn daughter, my wife and I allowed a 15 year old friend of the family to live with us for a while. It was the life of this young girl that led me to believe there had to be something else in life. Late one evening she told me about her beliefs in Christ and asked me if I would like to pray to accept Jesus in my heart.

Since I have accepted Jesus as my Lord there have many ups and downs in my life, but with a deep desire to please God and the support of great Christian friends and a wife that loves Jesus, life is good

Up until the age of ten I don’t remember much about going to church, except when we visited my maternal grandparents. My parents were good people, but we moved often because of my father’s work. Perhaps they used our moving as an excuse for not going to church.

At age ten my father went to Arabia and while he was there my mother and I lived with my grandparents. One Sunday, while attending church, I asked my friend how to “join” the church. So I walked down the aisle and “joined” and was later baptized. I do not remember anyone talking to me about Jesus at that time.

After more moves we ended up in Georgia. There I met my Christian husband. We were both active in church for many years. During that time I thought I was a Christian and was “busy” in the church programs. I felt life was good but knew something was missing.

While at a revival meeting in 1988 we were asked to face the person next to us and tell them, “if I died tonight I’ll see you in heaven.” I did not have that assurance. Then I knew it was not something missing it was SOMEONE. Finally I realized the sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross. I had the head knowledge of Christ but had never asked Him to forgive my sins. The next Sunday I went forward and invited Jesus into my heart to be my Savior and Lord.

Life still has it’s ups and downs, but He has blessed me with a peace and joy that is indescribable. I know that Jesus is with me in all circumstance, wheter good or bad. I look forward to spending eternity with my risen Savior.

About 19 years ago three people from a local church visited me at home. I was asked, “When you die do you think you will go to heaven?” I said “yes” for afterall I had been baptized as a youth. I was then asked “why” and I did not have an answer. After the visit I began to ask myself questions. Why was I not able to explain? Why did I always attend church as a youth but for years have not? Was the Bible true or not? What about my children who were visiting the church; would they go to heaven? Was I not being a good father?