MY LIFE BEFORE CHRIST…

I was born on January 9, 1965 and grew up going to church every Sunday. My mom sang in the choir and we were there every time the doors were open. I always remember knowing a lot about ‘who God was’. I started drinking when I was 14 years old. Looking back, I believe that my first sign of rebellion against God was at age 12.  My aunts Ruth and Lula asked me one Sunday after church if I thought it wasn’t time for me to walk the aisle and be baptized.  I remember clearly saying to them that “I didn’t have to.”  That’s true if you think about it.  We’re not forced by God to do anything.  But they cared enough to speak up. All my friends were doing it and they obviously loved me and wanted me to be saved. I continued my drinking on up into my adult life and got really good at it. So good that people “didn’t know I was even drunk!” In February of 1999, I was fired from my corporate job with Tom Hopkins International while promoting a program in Seattle, Washington.

HOW I MET JESUS…

I tried everything in life except Jesus. After I was fired, I moved home to my hometown of Americus, temporarily, and decided to ‘clean my life up!’ I had been knocked down by my circumstances and knew it was time to change. But I was going to do it. After getting a new job and settling in, I began to drink again uncontrollably. One Sunday night during that time, I sat down with close friend of mine and shared these words: “Mike, when I start drinking, I can’t stop, and the only thing I know to do is to never start back again.” Mike told me that he had worried about me many times over the years, that I would get killed in a car wreck or even worse kill someone else in the process. The words though that changed my life were these: Mike said: “I didn’t worry about you getting killed nearly as much as this:  “I knew if me or Dawn or one of the boys were to die, we’d be in Heaven and I’d just like to know you’d be there with us.” My true friend wouldn’t mislead me and I knew it.  Another week went by and I went to see Mike’s father in law. I’ll never forget Mike’s words. They were the words that registered with me much like the Philippian jailor’s response when he said: “sirs, what must I do to be saved?” I couldn’t go on many more days without meeting my friend’s Jesus. I was saved when I was 34 years old. After 20 years of heavy drinking and riotous living, I gave my life to Jesus Christ on October 28, 1999, at 3: 28 pm in the afternoon. Rev. Hugh DeLoach led me to the Lord.

BIG Change in my Life took Place…

Sin no longer rules my life.  The governor of my soul guides me.  I have the Holy Spirit. Jesus walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.  Bro. Hugh said my life would never be the same and it never has.  I ended up working for a guy named John Maxwell, awesome speaker and Leadership pastor.   I also got involved with training and promotion for Tom Hopkins Seminars once again, discovering second chances really do happen.  Good Stuff!  God is good.   BIG too! I am free! “For whom the Son sets free is free indeed!” By the way, I forgot to ask Jesus on October the 28th 1999, when I was praying and asking Him to come into my life, to please take away this unavoidable urge to get drunk…but guess what? HE DID IT ANYWAY.  Praise God.! God called me into full time ministry, ordained me as a pastor, and continues to give me strong opportunities to impact others on a daily basis.

As a Pastor and Speaker, I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to share the Gospel and disciple others.  Looking back, I had no idea what an awesome journey this would be.  We’ve only just begun!

Going Undefeated,