I came from a protestant family and
my family attended the First Presbyterian Church of Plantation shortly after moving to
South Florida in 1973. I have fond
memories of going to Sunday School and singing in church every
Sunday and enjoying snacks afterwards. I learned all the Bible
stories and the way Presbyterian's do church.
Some years later, after my
grandparents retired to South Florida, we began attending Plantation
Community Church. The church was large with an energetic
pastor bent on growing the church. There were lots of kids and
numerous activities outside of the usual Sunday School and church
service. It was a lot of fun.
I can't recall why - but after a
few years we began attending the Presbyterian church again. By
then I was a (not particularly happy) teenager. Nonetheless, I
didn't mind going to church and recall playing the trumpet along
with my instructor, Mr. Carroll, on occasion. I was confirmed
in the church and attended for a while, but eventually became a
two-timer - that is I attended church two times a year: Christmas
and Easter.
Fast-forward some 10-15 years to
1995. By 1995, I had graduated college and had a good job.
I hadn't any particular interest in God, except perhaps around
Christmas or Easter. My sister was "born-again", but I didn't understand it, so I did
what most people did - I made fun of her and called her a "Jesus
freak" and the like. She lived in a different town so I didn't
see her often nor did I care much about learning what being
"born-again" was all about. I was too busy doing my thing,
which was to work hard and play harder.
In 1995, my son was born.
When he was about eight months old, I thought it might be good idea
to get back into church - for my son's sake. I had a good church
experience and thought it would be good for him to have a similar
experience.
My wife (then girlfriend),
Michelle, agreed and found a beautiful church close to our
apartment. Mind you, she didn't care about doctrine or the
like. Nevertheless, it was beautiful and Baptist (which is
what she grew up). I didn't care, so on Sunday, May 5, 1996 we
attended the 11:00 a.m. service at Plantation Baptist Church.
I don't remember much about the service; however, I completed one of
the guest cards checking the "interested in membership" box.
On Tuesday, May 7, 1996, Pastor
Leman came to our apartment around 7:00 p.m.
After a few minutes of pleasantries, we discussed membership.
His first question was whether or not I was born again. I was
clueless, so he explained it to me. He gave me the
plan of salvation
and I accepted
Jesus Christ as Savior.
I was giddy and jumping
for joy. It was like turning the light on in a dark room - I
could see. Or as the writer of
Amazing Grace put it - "Was blind but now I see".
The scales came off my eyes and I could see crystal clear. That
day completely changed my life - and my eternity.
God has mercy! I was living a
life and held beliefs completely contrary to the Word of God.
Nevertheless, it was at that moment I heard and believed the Gospel
("Good News") of Jesus Christ. I attended and served at
Plantation Baptist Church until we moved to the West Palm Beach
area. Currently, I serve at
Palm Beach Garden's Baptist
Church.
To God by the Glory!
