Wow, where do I start. First, let me say that as a former student minister that I understand the challenges adult leaders face in attempting to disciple the youth of today… And based on my own struggles through life, I can genuinely relate to about any situation today's young people may encounter... Second, allow me to say that I am living proof that you cannot place guidelines or make stipulations for God. God can and will use anybody, anywhere, and anytime He sees necessary – And it doesn't matter about your past! So, what you're about to read is a brief overview of my personal testimony - Leaving out a lot of details. I stand amazed every day how God continues to bless me so abundantly in spite of my past.
I was raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. Actually, I call the city right across the river, Bossier City, my hometown. My mother divorced my father when I was three-months old. I have two older brothers, Tim and Lane, who were basically the only male "role-models" I had growing up until I met Don Piper, at the age of 15. Don was called to our church as the new youth minister during my junior year in high school. He turned out to be much more than a youth minister; he was also like a father to me. Not only that, but he became my spiritual mentor as well.
My biological father was never a part of my life. Although he lived across the river, he never made any attempt to see me, call, or write. As a result of my efforts, I finally met him on two occasions – One at the age of 10 and the other at the age of 14. During that last visit, I realized what an evil man he was. I knew then, that I would be a much better person without his influence in my life. At that moment, I asked my father to take me home and he responded with the following comment: “You’re as good as dead to me and if you ever contact me again I will have you killed!” I didn’t take that lightly, because there had been rumors of my father being involved in some extremely bad circumstances. A few years later, while in college, at the age of 18, I discovered that he had been convicted of murder. He is now serving a life sentence in a penitentiary in Tennessee. I have obviously left out a lot of details – There is a great deal more that could be shared…
In spite of all that, my mother was an incredible inspiration in the spiritual arena. She raised three boys on her own. Even in the most difficult of times, she always made sure we were in church and knew the importance of Jesus Christ. To this day, I still wonder how she did all. It blows my mind that she didn't go insane or have a nervous breakdown. God knows that I didn’t help her much. I think I literally turned out to be the “black sheep” of the family. I really put her through a great deal of stress (more than you could imagine). But, I thank the Lord for her spiritual guidance, because at the age of 14, on February 19, 1984, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. I was attending a revival held by Dr. Bailey Smith at the First Baptist Church of Bossier City, Louisiana. During Dr. Smith’s sermon on “The Wheat and the Tares”, I realized that although I had attended church all my life, I was a “Tare.” Without hesitation, I walked forward during the invitation and asked Jesus Christ to become my Lord and Savior. After that initial "high" from the salvation experience, I spent a great deal of time running from God. Then at the age of 17, I felt God's calling on my life – I started to run much faster at that point…
I struggled for a long time with surrendering completely to God’s will. It seemed that every time I was ready to surrender, Satan would distract me with someone or something to get me off track. In college, he distracted me with a great deal of things. I still can't explain it; but somehow, God always spared me and allowed something wonderful to happen in spite of the horrible situations I would encounter. I thank God that He has allowed me to use those situations and draw from those experiences in order to use them as incredible witnessing tools. I hope and pray that I can keep young people today from making the same mistakes I did. I have always heard that God can make something great happen from horrible circumstances; and I am living proof that if you put the trials and tribulations of life in the hands of God, He can use them for the advancement of His kingdom.
After college, I finally got tired of running… God redirected my life to focus my efforts in the area of youth ministry. I had always had a heart for singing and entertaining, and spent a great deal of time using that ability to reach youth. As a result of a horrible accident that ended in the brutal death of a friend, I started a program called "Country Music against Drinking and Drug Abuse." I spent a great deal of time performing for school wide assemblies in high schools and middle schools warning students about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.
As a result of the programs popularity, I was asked to record a CD. I started performing concerts and opening up for some major recording artists that would come through the Shreveport-Bossier City area. Then, Buddy Killen, the former president of Sony/Tree Publishing, asked me to move to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. I packed up and moved to Nashville on his promises of a publishing deal and a recording contract. That quickly turned out to be another way Satan distracted me from the calling God had placed on my life. Trust me; you are exposed to things in the music business you wouldn’t believe…
But once again, God used these situations to mold me and make me depend on Him more than myself. As a result of that humbling experience, I realized the only thing that would "truly" make me happy – And that was to finally surrender to God’s calling. So, after counseling with my former youth minister, Don Piper, on June 27, 1995, I surrendered completely to God’s will in my life. On July 9, 1995, I made that decision public in my church.
Shortly after I surrendered to the call, God opened the door for me to be a student worker at Brentwood Baptist church under the leadership of Robbie Robison. While working in the student ministry program at Brentwood, I met the woman God now allows me to call my wife, Stacy. Stacy has and continuous to be the greatest blessing I have ever known. Have you ever know a guy who married way out of his league? Well, I am one of those guys! Stacy is extremely talented and beautiful. I am so proud of her and her accomplishments.
A few months later, Robbie recommended me to a church that needed a student minister and before I knew it, God opened the door for me to be the student minister for Lincoya Hills Baptist Church. This church was located directly across the street from the largest High School in the state of Tennessee... Needless to say, the harvest was ripe for the picking. God blessed me with an amazing senior pastor, Mike Adams, who saw the gift of evangelism that the Spirit had blessed me with. Mike always encouraged me to branch out and speak for other churches... And as the doors continued to open I kept walking through… And God just kept on and He keeps opening doors and blessing me beyond my wildest imagination… GOD is truly awesome!
Well, that about brings you up to speed. I look forward to learning about you and ministering to your needs as well as the needs of your student ministry and church. May God richly bless you!
