"Growing up in church with wonderful parents who saw the importance of giving me a foundational belief in God and salvation, I have always had a sense that God was close. With the struggles of teenage and college years, I came to rely more heavily upon God “bailing me out” of situations that I shouldn’t have been in. But it wasn’t until my adult years that I really began to more truly believe and feel the closeness of God in my life. He was always my salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, but there was more. Through personal struggles, God showed me that I am always forgiven in His eyes and that I am redeemable no matter what.
More than anything, I have experienced the closeness of God through the people in my life. It’s in forgiveness from another, a hug, words of confirmation, friendship, love, a really important talk, a sermon, through my kids, through my wife, and sometimes from someone I don’t expect. With the birth of my two sons I have experienced a personal God first hand. As personal as I am with my wife and children, is the same way God loves me! And through the intricacies of God’s creation, He shows us how much He cares and provides for us! My decision to leave my profession as an educator of 11 years to become Worship Pastor of First Baptist was a direct result of a personal God who gives guidance, reassurance, and peace to my life."
