I never grew up going to church or had any significant relationship with Jesus. My parents divorced when I was 10, which affected me severely, and growing up, I allowed the world to guide my thoughts and actions. 

During my early 20’s, I left Michigan to go to college in Arizona. One day, I was “randomly” approached on campus by a young man who asked me if I had ever had a relationship with Jesus. I politely responded no and just sort of kept going on my way. It was a few days late, and that same young man approached me again. This time, he got me to agree to meet at Starbucks later. His name was Kurt Walker, and he introduced me to Jesus and what it meant to be a Christian. 

I first thought he was a bit quirky, but there was something profoundly at peace with him that I admired. I explained to him my upbringing and the traumatic situation with my parents’ divorce, and I mentioned that since that day I had a recurring nightmare of that day. He suggested that we pray to Jesus to comfort me in that nightmare, so we prayed. To this day the nightmare that I had for years of me crying over a laundry sink alone has been replaced by Jesus with his arm around me with comfort. 

I eventually moved back to Michigan, and my relationship with Kurt and Jesus grew apart. Fast forward many years later, still not walking by faith, I met my future wife, Brandie. We had a similar pain of parents divorcing, and we were determined to grow a strong marriage in faith and commitment. God has since blessed us with 4 wonderful children. 

Approximately 6 years ago, right before COVID, Brandie and I took a leap of faith and followed a job opportunity to Greenville. It was not an easy road with its ups and downs, and I often wondered if I had made a mistake. This feeling of regret led me to become extremely passive in leading our household spiritually, on the sidelines, unwilling to get into the game. 

Just a couple of months ago in September, we went through a crisis that broke Brandie down in a way that I had not seen before. I remember going outside alone and asking God for the first time in a long time, “What do I do? How can I fix this?” It was then a “random” reel on Facebook that spoke words of surrender and called me back to Christ. I broke down in tears and for the first time in a long time, I felt that same comfort that Jesus provided in my nightmare, and I said “I am yours” again to Him. 

I want to get baptized again in front of my beautiful wife and wonderful children to show them that Jesus is enough, and He will never stop loving and pursuing us, as He only asks that we be obedient to Him.