My testimony truly emphasizes the goodness and mercy of the Lord. I did not have the privilege of growing up in a Christian home. It was a good home in many ways, but Christ was not present. My mother divorced my father when I was very young, because he became interested in another woman. Years later, my mother told me that she read the Bible while she was going through this personal turmoil prior to my birth, even though she was not a believer at the time. I often think about the influence the Scriptures may have had on me even before I was born, and I wonder if this played a role in my becoming a Christian later and eventually entering “full-time” Christian ministry.
My mother eventually remarried a very nice, gentle man who was a self-employed auto mechanic. We did not have much money as I was growing up—actually, we were dirt poor—but I did not realize it, since it was just normal for me. However, I was always concerned when I had friends over to my house that they might trip over a transmission or some other auto part lying around in the backyard.
When I was seventeen, my life dramatically changed. During my childhood, no one in our family knew the Lord, though we attended a large Methodist church in a nearby town. I do not recall ever hearing the gospel preached, but if it was, we were deaf to it. Eventually, our family lost interest and stopped attending.
For several years, we were part of the “unchurched” segment of society until an illness in our family providentially stirred interest in attending church again. At first, my ten-year-old sister began attending a Friday night Bible club hosted by a New Testament assembly in town. She had been invited by a friend who brought her one Friday night to earn points awarded to those who brought guests. There is value in adopting these kinds of incentives. My sister was the first in our family to profess faith in Christ after coming under the sound of the gospel. As a result, my mother then became interested in attending services on Sunday mornings. Part of the reason for this renewed interest in the things of God was my stepfather becoming gravely ill with colitis. It seemed he was at death’s door.
This new turmoil in her life heightened her sense of needing the Lord’s help and intervention. Once again, life’s challenges proved instrumental in having a spiritual impact on our family. After the gospel was clearly and faithfully proclaimed, she also trusted the Savior, just as my sister had done the year before. Simply put, God was at work in our family. As a result, my mother encouraged me to attend youth group activities. At first, I was very reluctant since I had my own circle of high school friends, but my mother countered by arranging to have a family from the assembly come over. Introductions were made, and a few days later, a member of this family followed up with a phone call to invite me to a youth group activity. The invitation caught me off guard, but I accepted. To this day, I don’t know why I said yes, other than the Lord was directing my steps. With some reticence, a few nights later I hopped into a car with total strangers to head off to a youth group event, not knowing what to expect. God works in mysterious ways!
When I arrived at the home where the youth gathering was held, I witnessed a group of teens my own age who genuinely seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was obvious to me that these were a different kind of people. They were not like the friends I kept company with – friends who put each other down and strove for popularity. These teens were different in their attitudes and in the way they spoke to one another. They were very kind to me and included me in every activity that night. Near the end of the evening, someone shared a brief message from the Bible and closed in prayer. I do not recall what was said that night, but I do remember the effect: there was a warmth and friendliness toward me, and a joyful, spiritual atmosphere that filled the group. It made a deep impression on me, and there was no question in my mind that I wanted more.
This experience opened the door for me to visit that local assembly the following Lord’s Day. What I witnessed was even more astounding. The preacher that day was easy to understand. The environment was bright and cheerful – no burning candles or somber atmosphere. When the speaker began his message, tears rolled down his cheeks, but that did not derail him from continuing. What a powerful impression it made on my soul. In time, after repeated visits, my spiritual eyes were opened, and I responded to the gospel. I too, joined my sister and mother in trusting Christ as my Savior.
In the years that followed, I took an active part in the life of this New Testament assembly. I participated in the youth group, then college and careers and regular Sunday morning services followed. There were Bible conferences and weekly gatherings to remember the Lord with like-minded believers. All these activities were vital aspects of my early development as a Christian. The constant spiritual encouragement I received from older brethren was truly a blessing and of inestimable value during my formative years as a young believer. It launched me into the Christian life and helped me understand that we all have a ministry and opportunities to serve the Lord, wherever we are and whoever we may be. In my estimation, this made up for not receiving the benefits of being raised in a Christian home.
After going off to college, I returned to reconnect at the place where I had come to know the Lord. I became involved in youth group leadership and later established a statewide College and Career fellowship in New Jersey. I enjoyed serving the Lord and bringing other believers together to enjoy fellowship and receive solid teaching from capable brethren in the Lord. I worked in secular business for several years and even pursued securities licensing for a career in financial planning—which was a major trend at the time. Financially and professionally, I was advancing in my career, but I always felt a greater interest in the activities of the local assembly and in serving in whatever way I could.
At times, I was given the opportunity to share in the ministry of the Word and enjoyed this, mainly because it forced me to study and come to know the Word. It was far more rewarding than climbing the corporate ladder. In time, I married my wife, Cindy, who was a graduate of Emmaus Bible College in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1993, after meeting with the elders, we were commended to the grace of God for the work of the ministry wherever He would lead us as we served Him by faith. In 1995, Cindy and I established “Know the Word Ministries” to offer conferences and special events to strengthen the Lord’s people wherever they are.
Having now served the Lord by faith for over thirty years, we can truly say, “Hitherto hath the Lord helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12). We have four grown children, all of whom have made a profession of faith in Christ. We enjoy a ministry that keeps us busy both at home and internationally through speaking, writing, serving on several Christian boards, and organizing conferences and special events for the Lord’s people. Who would have thought that all this would come from a simple invitation to attend a youth group event many years ago? Only the goodness and mercy of the Lord can do these things. Praise His Name!
“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy.”
Psalm 107:2