So, what happened?
Jesus! I found the truth and the
Here I am, not even seven years out of prison and
eight years in Christ and my life has been one of
unexpected and unimaginable blessings. Not saying
life doesn’t still have its downers as well as its trials
and tribulations, but I have come to learn to be even
more worshipful during those times knowing God will
bring me through it, and He typically has something
awesome for me on the other side of it. Or I
understand He is using it to glorify Himself in some
way.
Since the last issue many things have changed. My
family and I have moved, and I have a couple new
positions. I was serving as Associate/Youth/Outreach
Pastor at Faith Evangelical Free Church in Stanley. As
of August, we moved to a little town called
Drummond (between Hayward and Ashland), and I
am now Senior Pastor of a church called The Oaks
Community Church. I was also hired on at Crossroads
Outreach in Ashland as the Director of Addictions
Transformation.
I had never wanted to be a Pastor, and certainly never
expected to find myself where God has me today. But
we will talk about that in a moment.
When we got here to the Oaks, there were 6-10 people
coming to the Church. Today we have between 30-50
on a weekly basis. We have had to make a lot of
changes and even some construction to make room for
the growth.
As director of Recovery Transformation at Crossroads
Outreach, I get to train and equip individuals and
Churches to work with addicts and to go into the jails
and prisons as volunteers as well as equipping them to
be disciple makers (mentors) for men and women
coming out of jail/prison.
The jails in Ashland County and Bayfield County
have allowed me to come in basically anytime and talk
to guys and ladies. We have recently started a
Wednesday night Bible study for the ladies at the
Ashland Jail, and I will soon be starting an addictions
program.
I get invited and go to the criminal justice meetings in
both counties, and I now work alongside many of the
county and state agencies working together to help
individuals and families; whether it’s dealing with
addictions, people coming out of jail, or just people
who need help. We are also in the process of finding
a place for a one year Christ centered in-house
addictions program which is so needed up here.
truth set me free.
I have three wonderful children (14, four, and two), a
spectacular wife, and live in one of the nicest houses I
have ever had in my life. Not that it’s new or anything,
but it’s certainly a big step up from what I have ever
had. I have three motorcycles and have been involved
in motorcycle ministry for the last six years. I am part
of the Faith Riders Motorcycle Ministry. We minister
to the one-percenter clubs and share Jesus and prayers
at bike rally’s and on the highways and byways.
I have been all over America as a public speaker
giving testimony as well as doing pulpit fills and
giving messages at Churches. Lately, I have been
getting the opportunity to go into many schools to
speak on drug/alcohol awareness as well as being
involved with a few meth forums.
So, what’s my point!? All I can say is, “Look where I
was and look at where I am now.” 33 years of doing
things my way, and the last eight of allowing God to
use me and being willing to be sent regardless of
where or when that might be!
Hebrews 11 starts with, “Now faith is the assurance of
things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
My last article was titled Walking in Shadows. You
can either walk in your shadow and allow other people
to keep you where you once were, or you can have
faith that there is hope. My biggest desire is that
people like you look at people like me and have hope!
That you will be instilled with the thought, “Man, if he
can do it considering what his past has been, then it’s
certainly possible for me!” It is not only possible, but
guaranteed by Jesus!
But, you must have the hope, faith, and trust in Jesus
Christ. The decision to accept the call to Pastor a
Church up here is one of the hardest decisions I ever
made, for many reasons. I remember my first Sunday
at the pulpit here, and as I was weeping I said, “I have
no idea of what just happened, but I have faith that this
is where God wants me.”
Now, let me throw some Jesus at you! Of all the
No
ministries I have ever been involved in, not once did I
seek any of them out. I have had to make a lot of very
hard choices, because I was always afraid of making
decisions based on my own desires verses what God
wants for me. I preach trust in the Lord to others, yet
caught myself on a couple of occasions not trusting
Him fully myself, including the decision to answer the
call to come to the Oaks.
(continued on next page)
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