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.