|
I am the youngest of six children born and raised in Arkansas. Our parents both came from large families as well. My mother's father was a Pentecostal pastor and later an evangelist. Early on I can remember attending church with them, and singing as a family. Dad had a baritone voice, complimented by mom's alto and the youngest two sisters taking the remaining lead and harmony. I couldn't even remember the words, so mom said to just move my lips! Unfortunately, their relationship with the Lord waned, as did their marriage. They divorced when I was about seven. Dad was tragically killed in an auto accident when I was thirteen.
A neighbor named Claude Varnell came to our door to invite children to the Nazarene church he attended. He drove a bus around and picked me up on Sundays. The Lord began a work in me at that time, and I was later saved in a Baptist Church. In fact, I gave my heart to the Lord about two weeks before my dad was in the accident. I was fortunate to be involved in a good youth group and was part of a very caring church. I’ll never forget a Sunday School teacher, J.W. Rogers, who took such an interest in the group of boys I hung around with. He went way beyond what was expected of him, and took us camping, had us over to his house, and really cared about our welfare, along with his dear wife, Martha. In fact, he even paid for my second year of Bible College, and attended the graduation ceremonies. I will always appreciate that. My sister Marsha started telling me about the baptism in the Holy Ghost. After some reluctance, and much prayer and Bible study, I attended a Full Gospel Businessmen's Meeting. The Lord touched me that night, at age sixteen, and filled me with His Holy Spirit! I continued in my home church until college.
A dear couple in our church, James & Laura Pierce, introduced me to R.W. Schambach's ministry. Paul Phillips was attending Brother Schambach's Bible College at that time. After a visit there in my senior year, I knew that was where the Lord wanted me to attend. Dr. Roy Gray and Ray Branscom introduced me to teachings from the Bible and the ministries of such people as Andrew Murray, Hans Waldvogel, the Zion Faith Home, Thomas a Kempis, Madame Guyon and Martha Wing Robinson. This opened up a whole new world to me, with emphasis on such areas as daily prayer, personal consecration, practicing the Presence of God, Abiding in Christ and studying the S+criptures on my own. It was a transforming time, and the Lord did a marvelous work in my heart.
After graduation in 1980, I returned to my hometown of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. There I worked and helped out with a couple of churches in various capacities. It was during this time that I met and married Vickie Hale. We had gone to the same high school, but didn't really know one another until this time. We have been married since 1982. I have been blessed with a wonderful soul-companion, and look forward to many more years together. We have three grown children, and are very thankful for each of them.
In 1985 we felt a definite call to move to Iowa and help out with the little church. The emphasis was similar to what I had experienced in Bible College, and we were drawn to join with those of like precious faith. In addition to Paul and Dixie, Greg and Lucy, Mike and Cindy Zelenak, and later Tom & Sue Gonyo were from the same background of Brother Gray's and Brother Branscom's ministries. The Lord has added many hungry souls to the fellowship over the years.
In March of 2007, I experienced open heart surgery, getting a mechanical aortic heart valve. The fact that I was born with a defective valve was unknown until I was 39. I could have had much trouble had this not been found. I praise God for that. Also, the love and support of my family and church throughout this ordeal was wonderful. Most of my siblings, who were here for the surgery, accuse me of going to great lengths to get them to visit Iowa!
It has been my great privilege and joy to teach the adult Sunday School class and help with the praise and worship team on Wednesday nights. I never tire of looking into God's Word. It is alive and He speaks to us as we prayerfully and humbly listen to His tender voice.
|
 |
|
