Charles' "Faith Story"
October 2006

My journey began attending Christian schools of a particular denomination from K - 5th grade, attending church and hearing of the Lord, but nothing more. It was a routine we did as a family throughout most Sundays. Later we moved to other side of town and I attended public schools which was quite a different experience but still good. At this time, we attended church even less. As I attended high school, I took notice of the different clicks among students excluding some people, accepting others, belittling some and worse to others. This did not sit well with me because when I attended church, I noticed a diverse group of people all attending for what appeared to be the same purpose, the man on the cross upfront centered on the wall. Some of these worshipers were falling asleep, others singing and rejoicing, but still those same faces were there whenever I attended.

Then came college. I attended a large university and thought::this is it. I have all these freedoms and I can make my own choices. I also began working while in school experiencing the daily grind of work life. But as time went on there was just one problem: I saw no leaders in life, just followers. Everyone taking comfort in doing what everyone else is doing with less concern of the outcome. No one seemed content just that look of searching for the next temporary high, whether it be hanging at the bar or something similar. What was worse I was one of them. A few years past then came one simple request from a family member: son will you attend BSF Bible Study Fellowship it has really helped me make some changes in my own life? I said sure mother, although I was thinking Monday night is "Monday Night Football," I don't know about this. Well on Monday night at 7:00pm I walked in and sat down next to a few hundred other men and we began singing old hymns. It suddenly brought back memories from childhood but a different feeling this time, one of peace and unity with the others around me. We studied the powerful book of John and that point I felt a since of home, learning about Jesus Christ and his journey with his disciples and his mission to spread his fathers gospel that he was sent to die for me so that I may be forgiven for my sins and be reborn to have a personal relationship with God.

After a few years of studying the scripture and attending church, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior.

In Philippians 3:14 Paul writes "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."