The New Life!!!

    I am always amazed at how God directs our life and prepares us for His purpose. Everything that happened in my life (or anyone's life) when I was a kid and teenager was God preparing me and setting the stage. 

   When I was 13 my family left the farm life and settled in the outskirts of Rochester, MN. in Pinewood Township. I started to attend Central Junior High School and rode the bus to school every day. On that school bus was Darlene Logan, a pastor's daughter. She invited me to a youth event that the church was putting on one Saturday night. They did not have a formal speaker but we listened to a recording by Don Lonie, who ministered to teens at school assemblies. It wasn't long before I started to attend this church (Faith Church) as much as I could. Almost every weekend there were teen events and, of course, Sunday morning Church and evening church. Our neighbors, Johnny and Christine Whitcomb always gave a ride to church in their VW bug. The Whitcombs were short in stature, but big in heart. My dad used to be friends with Johnny and his brother, Doug when they were kids and teenagers.

   Just before Easter of 1964, I was sitting in church listening to the message by Pastor Ray Logan. After every message he always gave an invitation to trust Christ as Savior. I remember raising my hand to receive Christ, but did no go forward. The next Sunday I raised my hand and this time I did go forward and talked with Pastor Logan after the service. It was on that day that I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior. There was also another young man that day who came forward to trust Christ as Savior. I later became good friends with him and would spend time with him at his house. Pastor Logan gave both of us a Gospel of John booklet that had a place in the front cover to put our name and the date we trusted Christ as our Savior. Then he told us to read the booklet, which I think I did. I took the booklet home to show my parents what I had done that day. I was so excited to share with them what had happened. They took one look at the booklet and dismissed it. They were not Christians at that time, so all of this meant very little. BUT God was not through with them!!!! My mom started to talk with Christine Whitcomb next door. She noticed that I had changed and my life was different from what it was. (Truthfully, I did not realize that there was that much of a change.) Mom wanted what I had and a month later Christine lead her to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. 

   There are a lot of stories that I could tell you about Faith Church, Pastor Logan and the teens of the church and the impact they made on my life. Let's just say that God used these things to mold and shape me as a young Christian. A year or so later, they had a lady missionary speaker. Don't ask me her name, ministry or where she was from, because I do not remember. But I do remember coming forward after church to give my life to the Lord for full time ministry (Whatever that may mean - only God knew)  


Stay Tuned!!!!

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