My Jesus Story

I grew up on a farm about 12 miles outside Scottsbluff, Nebraska. I was blessed with a great dad and mom, and two younger brothers.

We attended a local mainline church but not on a regular basis. In high school, I began partying and continued that lifestyle into and beyond college. 

My mother died of cancer while I was in college; my response was to party harder. During this time I attended church regularly, three times a year during college – Christmas, Easter, and the Sunday before finals. Christianity for me was having an old Bible that never got opened, next to my bed, and a title I’d always given myself. I was a “good person,” in my own eyes and that was a Christian.

After graduating from college, I headed to California to become a world famous photographer. After a short time in L.A., I moved to Denver and not long afterwards I found myself back on the farm, broke, questioning my future, and working as a farmhand for the neighbor.

The neighbor was attending evangelistic meetings every night at a local church. Every day they would invite me to join them. Every day I came up with lie after lie for reasons I could not go with them. The last night of the meetings the couple’s six-year old son asked me to go with them. I had no problem in lying to mom and dad, but I could not lie to that little boy, so I went.

The evangelist was talking about living water (John 7:37-38). That night, I took a drink of that living water and started a relationship with Jesus.

Going home that night the couple said, “You have changed.” I did not feel any different, but God began a work on, in, and through me that he continues to do even today.

Through Jesus, my life has radically changed from the party boy to a man seeking to be a strong living epistle. From a self centered young man with no direction, to a man open to being a tool in God’s hands, used to achieve His goals.

Over the years God has used me in youth, college, and children’s ministries, as a life group leader, church board member, worship team member, interim pastor, and pastor. 

The best thing has been the personal relationship I’ve enjoyed over the years with Jesus. 

I have grown in my love for God, others and the world around me. He is with me and working in me and through me during the good times and the bad. 

A favorite scripture of mind is Zeph. 3:17; “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” 

It is encouraging to know that God is with me. Jesus, the Mighty Warrior, has saved me and today He is delighted in me.