My family did not regularly attend church when I was a young child. I had been in church a few times and had heard of a person named Jesus but didn’t know who he was. I was taught the difference between right and wrong and usually did right only to avoid being punished by my parents. My real desires were selfish. My real nature was to place my needs and desires over the needs and desires of others.

When I was 10 years old, my father, who was a police officer, responded to a prowler call at a local church where he met a pastor. This pastor who befriended my father came to our house one Saturday afternoon and told me and my sister about Jesus. As a result I came to understand that Jesus is the Son of God who live a perfect sinless live. That he gave his life to pay my debt for sin. I was confronted with my my sinful nature and the need to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord. In May of 1969 I confessed that I was a sinner in need of forgiveness and I asked Jesus to become Lord of my life.

That decision was the most important one I have ever made. Realizing that God loves me and has a plan for me, radically changed my life. By the power of the Holy Spirit that now resides within me I am able to love others with the love of Christ. I live with assurance of where I will spend eternity and I am able go to Jesus about every circumstance in my life.