We each have our own journey to God. That statement is ever more true for those called into the Ministry. My journey is not unlike other Ministers and yet is mine alone.
I was born into a family that was not only religious but also filled with faith. They relished in the search for HIS truth and struggled with the differences between faith and religion. I was baptised a Methodist but found myself in congregations of many faiths as I grew up.
From the time I was five years old I was drawn to the study of the scriptures and, as my knowledge grew, so did my involvement in the church. It is difficult for me to identify one single event, early in my life, that would be my epiphany into the Ministry, it was a feeling that I had always seemed to carry with me. I can only describe it as a "calling" in the true sense of the word.
I was Ordained at the age of twelve with water baptism and a laying on of hands and began to preach HIS word. I ministered mostly in the New England region of the United States and in parts of Eastern Canada.
As the next few years passed and I matured in the Ministry, I found that I questioned some of the interpretations of the organization. When I expressed my concerns I was disheartened to hear a Senior Pastor tell me to rely on their leadership and not concern myself with indepth study of the Scriptures. My heart and my faith told me that HIS word and not the word of man is my light and salvation and I chose not to become an "ear tickler" (2 Tim. 4: 2-5) to those who seek a minstry of convenience. I left this ministry shortly thereafter.
When I left the ministry I was a fairly sheltered eighteen year old in a wheelchair and faced a struggle with self-doubt. I began to questioned my faith and was tempted by a corrupt world. I humbly admit to falling into a sinful lifestyle for a time that I stuggle each day to repair. While I am not proud of my mistakes and continually seek HIS forgiveness, it was this fall that returned me to the path of salvation.
I found myself in my early twenties and at the lowest point in my life. I felt empty and alone, lacking any direction. I happened to be looking through some old boxes of posessions when I found my bible. The bible that I had read, studied and preached to thousands of people from and as I opened it and began to read it. HIS hand directed me to open HIS word to 2 Tim. 4: 2-5 and as I read it I began to cry. I cried out for my Heavenly Father to help me, to forgive me, to bring me back into HIS service. It was at that moment that I again confessed my sins and accepted Jesus back into my life as my savior.
I began the long journey back into GODS favor and changed my lifestyle. I began my own Ministry shortly thereafer and now, once again, preach HIS Holy word. I believe that each person must find the right Ministry, must find the right Pastor and must find the fuel to kindle the fire of faith in their hearts. HE will lead me to those who need the minstry style that HE has chosen for me, that I might kindle their fire and shepard them toward salvation.
It is now over twenty years since HE returned me to HIS service and over thirty years since I was first Ordained. GOD has truly blessed my life. I have been married for nearly twenty years to my wonderful wife. We have a miraculous 12 year old son who, after my wife had a stressful 16 week stay in the hospital during her pregnancy, was born ten weeks premature. Our daughter was born in 2004 and continues to amaze us.
I am currently blessed to serve as the Executive Vice-President and Archbishop of the Diocese of New England for the Lutheran Orthodox Church. This position takes me to many different congregations providing scriptual, ministerial and administrative support.
I unashamedly believe...
The Holy Scriptures, in the original tongues, are the inspired and inerrant word of God;
In one God, eternal and self-existent, Creator and Ruler of the universe, and manifested through the Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
That Jesus Christ is truly divine and truly human having been conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the blessed virgin Mary;
That Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood as a Sacrifice for our sins; He arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Majesty on High;
That humankind was created in the image of God, but fell into sin causing separation from God;
That salvation has been provided through Jesus Christ for all; and those who repent and believe on Him are born again of the Holy Spirit, receive the gift of eternal life and become the children of God;
That the water baptism identifies us with the death and burial of Christ and that we should arise to walk in the newness of life;
In the ministry of the Holy Spirit to glorify Christ, to convict, to enable the believer to live a godly life and to empower the Church to carry the gospel into all the world;
In the personal and visible return of Jesus Christ for His Church;
I attempt, even as an imperfect sinner, to live by the Inspired Word of GOD.
I reject those who would corrupt HIS word and twist HIS laws.
2 Timothy 4: 2-5
2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.
3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Luke 6:26
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
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