Testimonies

Laura Mangan (age 18)

It’s a faint, dream-like memory. I was 6. I can hear the sound of my siblings laughing, playing outside. I remember tapping my foot, staring out the porch window, anxious to finish my school and join them, but I had to finish my phonics. My phonics book had a verse in it and my mom read the verse aloud. She asked me if I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart and live in heaven. Her warm, brown eyes looked right into mine. “Yes!” I answered, thinking about the gold streets in heaven I’d heard about in my Sunday school class. Mom led me in a simple prayer, confessing my sins and asking Jesus for forgiveness…

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Growing up in a Christian family, my life continued as normal. I went to church (Second Reformed Presbyterian) each Sunday with my family. I heard Bible stories. I memorized Bible verses. My family smiled at me as I stood in front of church, reciting verses with my class. However, nothing about me really changed. When I was 13, I questioned whether God was real. I asked, “How can he be? People say you can feel his presence, but I never have.” That fall, I joined the junior high class at church. My teacher Carrie Filson talked about having a personal relationship with Jesus. I remember her words, “In the Bible, God says he is your friend. Think about your friends. You write to them. You talk to them. I want you to do the same with God.” I took her advice. I started to pray throughout the day letting God know what I was thinking, though really, he already knows. I committed to reading the Bible every day. It wasn’t always easy but I stuck to it. At age 15, I spent 2 weeks on a summer mission trip, working at the ECHO (Educational Concern for Hunger Organization) farm in N. Fort Myers, Florida. Alongside my friends, I pulled weeds, hauled dirt and planted crops. It was stifling hot. During several jobs, I had to cry out to God, asking for his strength, knowing I had no strength to work on my own. Each time, I felt a surge of energy beyond myself and was able to complete the task. I was amazed. Right then, I knew that the God I’d heard about sitting criss cross apple sauce in Sunday school is in fact real. I returned from ECHO. Summer ended. That fall, I can’t tell you how or when, but I became really close to my friend Faith’s older sister Mary. My sister Becky, Mary, Faith and I have had Bible study for over a year now. We’ve spent up to 2 hours sharing, laughing and even crying together. I’m grateful for these times, but especially for Mary. She’s been my mentor for the past two years. Looking back on my young, six year old self, I see that I didn’t understand what it meant to be a Christian. I learned about God through Bible stories, verses, etc…but as a child, that’s all Christianity was for me, facts about God. I was wrong. Through my summer experience at ECHO, my junior high Sunday school teacher’s advice and my friendship with Mary, God’s shown me that he IS real. I’ve fallen in love with the same God I thought was cold and distant. He’s taught me that Christianity is not about the knowledge in my head; it’s about the knowledge in my heart. Christianity is about believing that God really exists. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us,” Romans 5:8. He breathed his last for me and for that I will love him eternally.

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Growing up in a Christian family, my life continued as normal. I went to church (Second Reformed Presbyterian) each Sunday with my family. I heard Bible stories. I memorized Bible verses. My family smiled at me as I stood in front of church, reciting verses with my class. However, nothing about me really changed.

When I was 13, I questioned whether God was real. I asked, “How can he be? People say you can feel his presence, but I never have.” That fall, I joined the junior high class at church. My teacher Carrie Filson talked about having a personal relationship with Jesus. I remember her words, “In the Bible, God says he is your friend. Think about your friends. You write to them. You talk to them. I want you to do the same with God.” I took her advice. I started to pray throughout the day letting God know what I was thinking, though really, he already knows. I committed to reading the Bible every day. It wasn’t always easy but I stuck to it.

At age 15, I spent 2 weeks on a summer mission trip, working at the ECHO (Educational Concern for Hunger Organization) farm in N. Fort Myers, Florida. Alongside my friends, I pulled weeds, hauled dirt and planted crops. It was stifling hot. During several jobs, I had to cry out to God, asking for his strength, knowing I had no strength to work on my own. Each time, I felt a surge of energy beyond myself and was able to complete the task. I was amazed. Right then, I knew that the God I’d heard about sitting criss cross apple sauce in Sunday school is in fact real. I returned from ECHO. Summer ended.

That fall, I can’t tell you how or when, but I became really close to my friend Faith’s older sister Mary. My sister Becky, Mary, Faith and I have had Bible study for over a year now. We’ve spent up to 2 hours sharing, laughing and even crying together. I’m grateful for these times, but especially for Mary. She’s been my mentor for the past two years.

Looking back on my young, six year old self, I see that I didn’t understand what it meant to be a Christian. I learned about God through Bible stories, verses, etc…but as a child, that’s all Christianity was for me, facts about God. I was wrong. Through my summer experience at ECHO, my junior high Sunday school teacher’s advice and my friendship with Mary, God’s shown me that he IS real.

I’ve fallen in love with the same God I thought was cold and distant. He’s taught me that Christianity is not about the knowledge in my head; it’s about the knowledge in my heart. Christianity is about believing that God really exists. “But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us,” Romans 5:8. He breathed his last for me and for that I will love him eternally.

Rylie Robinson

I had never really thought of the idea of Christianity as a child. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, so the lifestyle of a non-believer was foreign to me. My grandmother was the only believer in our immediate family who still tried to influence those close to her. She had tried with her children, and subsequently wanted to teach her grandchildren in the best way that she knew how.

It was also through the Indiana School for the Blind, the school I attended for all of my primary and secondary years, and the friends and mentors that I had there, that also helped to influence me spiritually. I had one dorm parent who taught me so much just by being a Christ-like example. I had even professed Christ at one point when I was about 14, with one of my friends witnessing over it…

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The turning point, however, really came during my freshman year of high school. A group of friends and I decided to have a prayer circle, and during this prayer circle, was when I really felt the presence of God in the room. There were many things being said and done in that room which really showed me God was personally there, and I realized that I wanted an actual, personal relationship with God. I needed to get closer to Him. So, I began attending church with my grandmother, and later that year I was baptized at her church. That could be the end of the story, but honestly that’s only the beginning. I graduated from high school and moved down to Louisiana for a nine month program where the blind are trained to live independently. At this point, I began attending a local Christian church, and I really felt that I was growing in the Lord. I would pray a lot, go to church, I would even get on my computer and read passages of the Bible when I felt like it. I really felt like I was beginning to understand how to live this Christian life. I believe God had a rather astounding wake-up call coming right around the corner, and I wasn’t ready for it, in the least. I was tested and I fell right into the trap of sin. I had been dating a guy since the end of my senior year of high school, and he and I made it through the nine months I lived in Louisiana. We had discussed the possibility of moving in together after I graduated from the Louisiana program. I knew in my heart that I should not move in with him. But, I did it anyway. I had been living an outwardly Christian lifestyle, but in my heart, I had put the love of a man over the love I felt toward God. In April of last year, we moved in to an apartment together, and from that point on, for about half a year, God was not a part of my life – at all. I lived in the world of men, living for the flesh. I had sex outside of marriage, I swore, I drank, and I dappled in drugs. This is all extremely sobering, but I feel it necessary to express this because I had fallen in to such desperate sin without God. Who was I to try and run my own life? I tried, and I failed, miserably. God was there, in the back of my mind, but I failed to acknowledge Him. I knew if I did so, I would be spiritually convicted. This was something I did not want to deal with, so I did not think about it and simply lived my life to please myself. I felt depressed, I felt empty; I knew something in my life was missing. There was a void in my life that I needed to fill, and I tried all sorts of things to fill it. When I was asked to go to a Bible study by a friend that I had met during an education class at the college I attend, I had the attitude of “Sure, I don’t have anything else going on Thursday nights. It gives me something to do.” I didn’t realize how this one Bible study would actually affect my life and the relationship I had with our Heavenly Father. This Bible study was spiritual drink for a thirsty soul. It took me a few weeks to really come to realize what was missing in my life, but I don’t think I will forget the day when I came to except that God needed to be brought back into my life, and the implications this would bring. For, this time, I knew it wasn’t just my good works, my time, my discipline that God wanted. He wanted all of me, my heart, my soul, my mind, and even my body, the body that I had given up to someone else. I knew that if I were to bring God in to my life, I would have to flee those temptations that were a daily part of my life. I would have to move out of my apartment with my boyfriend. With lots of prayer, lots of encouragement, and lots of support from the people in my congregation and a few of my Christian friends from school, I made the move. I now live in a house for single women, on the property of the church that I attend. And, I have actually ended my relationship entirely. I am now a disciple of Christ, totally and completely, and I know that no one can snatch me out of the father’s hand. No matter what I’ve done, I can be forgiven because Christ has paid the price for us. Over the last few months, I have experienced the glory of God in my own life, and all I can do is praise Him. It is so evident that it is Christ who needs to be Lord over our lives. Going to church, doing good deeds, picking up the Bible every now and then, these will not get you anywhere as a true Christian; you have to have accepted Christ fully and completely in to your heart. It was amazing how my desires changed once I brought Jesus in to my life. I never knew how important and beautiful the Word of God could be, but now I have a hunger for it, a desire to read and study it like I never have before. I have witnessed firsthand what a life is like without God, and what it is like to be transformed by God. Knowing that I have been given a free gift, even though I don’t deserve it at all, even though I knew just how much of a sinner I actually was, changed my desires completely around. I know now just how precious these gifts are: the gift of grace, the gift of eternal salvation, to those who rest in Christ We are all sinners and will have to face the wrath of God one day. But, if we put our trust and faith in Christ, who gave His life for us, we will be declared innocent. Why would I want to deliberately disobey God after hearing glorious news like that? Picking up my cross and following Christ was not an easy thing. I’ve lost some friends, I am rather distant with my family at the moment, and I lost the man who I really thought I’d be marrying. But, I will not go back now, not after having the privilege of knowing God, not just by knowledge, but by heart. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. For the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. (Galatians 2:20)

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The turning point, however, really came during my freshman year of high school. A group of friends and I decided to have a prayer circle, and during this prayer circle, was when I really felt the presence of God in the room. There were many things being said and done in that room which really showed me God was personally there, and I realized that I wanted an actual, personal relationship with God. I needed to get closer to Him.

So, I began attending church with my grandmother, and later that year I was baptized at her church. That could be the end of the story, but honestly that’s only the beginning.

I graduated from high school and moved down to Louisiana for a nine month program where the blind are trained to live independently. At this point, I began attending a local Christian church, and I really felt that I was growing in the Lord. I would pray a lot, go to church, I would even get on my computer and read passages of the Bible when I felt like it. I really felt like I was beginning to understand how to live this Christian life. I believe God had a rather astounding wake-up call coming right around the corner, and I wasn’t ready for it, in the least.

I was tested and I fell right into the trap of sin. I had been dating a guy since the end of my senior year of high school, and he and I made it through the nine months I lived in Louisiana. We had discussed the possibility of moving in together after I graduated from the Louisiana program. I knew in my heart that I should not move in with him. But, I did it anyway. I had been living an outwardly Christian lifestyle, but in my heart, I had put the love of a man over the love I felt toward God.

In April of last year, we moved in to an apartment together, and from that point on, for about half a year, God was not a part of my life – at all. I lived in the world of men, living for the flesh. I had sex outside of marriage, I swore, I drank, and I dappled in drugs. This is all extremely sobering, but I feel it necessary to express this because I had fallen in to such desperate sin without God. Who was I to try and run my own life? I tried, and I failed, miserably. God was there, in the back of my mind, but I failed to acknowledge Him. I knew if I did so, I would be spiritually convicted. This was something I did not want to deal with, so I did not think about it and simply lived my life to please myself.

I felt depressed, I felt empty; I knew something in my life was missing. There was a void in my life that I needed to fill, and I tried all sorts of things to fill it.

When I was asked to go to a Bible study by a friend that I had met during an education class at the college I attend, I had the attitude of “Sure, I don’t have anything else going on Thursday nights. It gives me something to do.” I didn’t realize how this one Bible study would actually affect my life and the relationship I had with our Heavenly Father. This Bible study was spiritual drink for a thirsty soul. It took me a few weeks to really come to realize what was missing in my life, but I don’t think I will forget the day when I came to except that God needed to be brought back into my life, and the implications this would bring.

For, this time, I knew it wasn’t just my good works, my time, my discipline that God wanted. He wanted all of me, my heart, my soul, my mind, and even my body, the body that I had given up to someone else. I knew that if I were to bring God in to my life, I would have to flee those temptations that were a daily part of my life. I would have to move out of my apartment with my boyfriend.

With lots of prayer, lots of encouragement, and lots of support from the people in my congregation and a few of my Christian friends from school, I made the move. I now live in a house for single women, on the property of the church that I attend. And, I have actually ended my relationship entirely. I am now a disciple of Christ, totally and completely, and I know that no one can snatch me out of the father’s hand. No matter what I’ve done, I can be forgiven because Christ has paid the price for us.

Over the last few months, I have experienced the glory of God in my own life, and all I can do is praise Him. It is so evident that it is Christ who needs to be Lord over our lives. Going to church, doing good deeds, picking up the Bible every now and then, these will not get you anywhere as a true Christian; you have to have accepted Christ fully and completely in to your heart. It was amazing how my desires changed once I brought Jesus in to my life. I never knew how important and beautiful the Word of God could be, but now I have a hunger for it, a desire to read and study it like I never have before. I have witnessed firsthand what a life is like without God, and what it is like to be transformed by God. Knowing that I have been given a free gift, even though I don’t deserve it at all, even though I knew just how much of a sinner I actually was, changed my desires completely around. I know now just how precious these gifts are: the gift of grace, the gift of eternal salvation, to those who rest in Christ We are all sinners and will have to face the wrath of God one day. But, if we put our trust and faith in Christ, who gave His life for us, we will be declared innocent. Why would I want to deliberately disobey God after hearing glorious news like that?

Picking up my cross and following Christ was not an easy thing. I’ve lost some friends, I am rather distant with my family at the moment, and I lost the man who I really thought I’d be marrying. But, I will not go back now, not after having the privilege of knowing God, not just by knowledge, but by heart. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. For the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Pastor James Faris

The Lord has given me the great privilege of serving as a pastor in this congregation that he has purchased with his own blood. I love this calling, challenging as it is!

One aspect of this congregation that means so much to me is the love the people here have for my family. God’s grace is evident as other young people, children, and adults take a personal interest in Elizabeth and our children. Perhaps I especially appreciate that personal touch because I experienced the same love in my growing up experiences in other congregations. My early years were much like those of Timothy, the disciple of the Apostle Paul. Paul encouraged Timothy: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). …

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God, through the Scriptures and the ministry of my parents, grandparents and others of his people, changed me at any early age. He convicted me of my sin by the power of his word, drew me to himself through faith in Christ Jesus, and caused me to grow in his grace. Now, I love seeing my children and the other children in Second RP being loved the same way. I also pray regularly that God will allow my children to see his power to convert adults from their lost condition to faith in Jesus Christ through the ministry of his word. He is doing it here, and as we watch him work and hear wonderful stories of grace, we simply sit back and marvel at the greatness of our God. Then, we pray that he will do it again! I love the work he has called me to because I get to watch God using his word to make people of all ages wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. He is building his church, and I get to be part of it – that will never cease to amaze me!

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Dan Cutter

God is good. Our family has known His goodness. We became keenly aware of this while living on the 2nd RP Church property during the early years of our marriage. The houses next to the church building are pleasant places to live. Living close to the congregation knit our hearts together with saints who loved us and were interested in helping our family grow spiritually. This was an extraordinary blessing!

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During that time we were caught by surprise when our second pregnancy ended in early labor and the birth of an adorable Down syndrome boy. The Body of Christ surrounded us. Now, 20 years later, we are thankful for memories of Andrew selling hot dogs at Mystery Theater, enjoying Scripture memory success, being taught by Bible School teachers that loved him (especially junior high), participating in camp outs on the church property, developing personal friendships to cheer on the Chicago Cubs or the Butler Bulldogs, preparing homemade waffles early in the morning before workday, folding and distributing bulletins each week, greeting members and guests of 2nd RP at the door before worship, and laboring with a wonderful “Work Crew” of young men from the congregation throughout the summer months. We have learned to sing, worship and persevere through the storms of life with the people of God at 2nd RP Church in Indianapolis. We are grateful for the way we have seen God’s goodness in so many practical ways. We are so thankful for a congregation that demonstrates Matthew 25:40, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

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Russ Pulliam

I grew up in Indianapolis in a traditional family. My parents promoted good habits in our lives.
– We went to church each week
– My father prayed with us before bed at night
– We learned the Lord’s Prayer.

In high school I found three little booklets that explained how to have eternal life. One verse, Roman 3:23, explained that I had sinned and come short of God’s desires. Against God’s standard of holiness, I was falling short.

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The booklets also explained that Jesus had died on the cross for me to pay the penalty for my sins and to make me acceptable to God. He lived a life of perfect righteousness. I could have His righteousness if I would commit my life to Him. I prayed some kind of prayer committing myself to Christ. At Williams College in Massachusetts I was developing an interest in journalism with the school newspaper and as a correspondent for newspapers in New England. Journalistically I was on top of the world with a Washington Post summer internship. But I still had some emptiness, and a lack of purpose in my life. During that last year of college, a small Christian fellowship started. My high school commitment became stronger. After college I headed to New York City to work for the Associated Press. I also served with a church and young neighborhood kids whose parents did not go to church. I would play basketball with them in the church gym, teach them in Sunday School and visit their homes for Bible study. I could see that Christ was making a difference in my life and that He could make a difference in their lives as well. I also met the best friend I ever have had. Ruth volunteered to help in 1976, and we were married 18 months later in 1977. Moving to Indianapolis in 1978, I wrote commentary on the newspaper editorial page and tried to apply the Bible to news stories. We were having children, six of them. At Second Reformed Presbyterian Church, I heard wise messages that I would never regret spending too much time with my family and that the children would grow up quickly and be gone before I knew it. Evening services especially exposed me to excellent teaching about the family. One of the greatest blessings of my life has been my relationships with each of our children. I am grateful for my friendships with each of them and their growing circles of families and friends.

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Randy Snyder

My name is Randy Martin Snyder. I was named Randy because my mother liked the television cowboy Randolph Scott, and my middle name is a family name passed down from my mother’s side of the family. I was raised in a very loving family. My mother and dad were excellent parents and always affirming and accepting. They were considered the cool parents of the neighborhood. My mom was always involved with whatever the kids did and my dad likewise. My dad was also a race car driver and an all-around sports guy.

I grew up going fishing, hunting, or attending sporting events on Saturday and to the Drag Race Track on Sundays instead of church. I only knew of one or possibly two families in my neighborhood that actually went to church nominally. I did think about God growing up, but I had very little knowledge about God.

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I remember when I was very young I had an epiphany about my mortality and realized that my parents were going to die someday, and it drove me to tears since I was so in love with them. My dad came upon me in my distress and tried to calm my fears by telling me that if we stay good people we will always be together after death because we will go to heaven. That still didn’t help a whole lot, but it did guide me in some of my theological understanding for the next years. By the time I entered my mid-teen years, I realized that I was not a good person. My dad had left my mom for another woman. That was devastating. I had been involved with drugs, alcohol, and crimes that I am too embarrassed to speak about. I was on a very self-destructive course of life. Just weeks before turning eighteen years of age I had stolen a car and passed out at the wheel sending it through the other side of a six lane interstate. I awoke to a policeman asking me if I was okay. I ended up going into the United States Navy so that I could pay restitution and fulfill my obligations for my crime. I was fortunate that I was still considered a juvenile. My punishment would have been much more severe had I bee ighteen. After joining the Navy, I went through boot camp and necessary training for my job as a mechanic on fighter jets. I was still heavily involved with drugs and alcohol but was ever growing tired of all the heartache and sorrow it brought. Some things transpired that caused me to ask my mother to send me a Living Bible that she had been trying to get me to read for some time. I had been contemplating my mortality and all the fortunate things that had happened to me. I figured if I continued on the path I was headed I was going to run out of fortune. I did believe in God and figured that He was going to run out of patience with me someday. After all, I had a few close friends who were dead already. Why should I be allowed to continue to live? I read through the four Gospels in a few weeks. The book of Matthew exposed my sinful heart. It wasn’t just the actions of my life that condemned me. I discovered it was the attitudes of my heart that brought me into conflict with God. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22) The next one really hit home because adultery was a sin that tore my family apart, and it was a very painful thing in my life. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28) Those passages of Scripture exposed a major problem in my life: my heart. My inclinations and attitudes were sinful and disobedient to God. The book of Mark showed me the compassion of Christ. The book of Luke showed me the wonderful Healer. But the book of John revealed the most wonderful thing to me: who Jesus was. When I was young we had five channels to watch on the television. Today we have hundreds. The three major networks were CBS, ABC, and NBC. We also had a local channel and a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) channel. Back in those days, we celebrated holidays and centered our seasonal times around a church calendar. We had Easter Break instead of Spring Break. There was Christmas Vacation instead of Winter Break. During those holiday seasons they played religious programs on television like The Ten Commandments, The Robe, The King of Kings, and a few others. My parents always watched them. One in particular was very important to me. It was Cecil B. Demille’s movie, The Ten Commandments. During one point of the movie Moses, who is God’s prophet, goes up to see a sight he finds miraculous. It is a bush that is on fire but is not being consumed. A voice speaks to him out of the bush, and it is God proclaiming that He is the God of Moses’ past ancestors. Moses asked this God what His name was. God replied by telling Moses that I AM is His name. (There are a lot of things God reveals by His name but that is another topic.) To explain why the book of John is most wonderful in revelation for me I will have to back up a bit. When I was going to school for my Naval training at Millington, Tennessee, I was approached by a street preacher. He tried to tell me that Jesus Christ was God manifest as a man and that He loved me. I just thought he was a nut job. I could not understand what he was telling me because I reasoned that I am not my dad and my dad is not me. I was having problems also with the concept that God loved mankind by giving his Son to die for the sins of the world. My dad sacrificed us for the love of another, and I just couldn’t see that there was any good in any of that. So I perceived Christianity was a terrible religion. Especially if God made His Son pay for my sin and He didn’t. But I sure did admire Jesus. By the time I got to the book of John, I was growing more convinced about how good Jesus was and how good God was and wanted us to be. I started to understand that my understanding about God was a bit out of kilter. I was realizing God was truthful, just, and good. When I got through the eighth chapter of John my life was totally turned around. I read: So you are greater than our father Abraham, who died? Who do you think you are? Then Jesus told them this: “If I am merely boasting about Myself, it doesn’t count. But it is My Father—and you claim Him as your God—who is saying these glorious things about Me. But you do not even know Him. I do. If I said other-wise, I would be as great a liar as you! But it is true—I know Him and fully obey Him. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day. He knew I was coming and was glad. You aren’t even 50 years old—sure, you’ve seen Abraham! The absolute truth is that I was in existence before Abraham was ever born! (John 8:53-58 – Living Bible) I had realized that my whole conception about God was incorrect and that my understanding about God was wrong. My understanding about God was based upon my understanding and relationship with my dad. By the time I got done reading John 8:58 I realized that Jesus was the Great I AM. Jesus was the God who talked to Moses out of the burning bush. The Living Bible is not a translation of the Bible. It is what they call a paraphrase. The real rendering of John 8:58 quotes Jesus as saying, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” I realized that the Almighty God loved me and sacrificed Himself for me. I realized that God loved me and paid the price for my sin. He was my rescuer. I started to understand that God was Three persons in one Being. This teaching is called the Trinity. I learned that God loved me as a Father and would never cast me off. He paid the highest price of all. He gave Himself. What love! I have to admit at this time that my mother played a big part in my coming to Christ. After my dad left home she sacrificed and tolerated me when I did nothing but hurt her. She never gave up on me. She prayed and tried to point me to Christ. She did her best to exhibit the same love of God that St. John had revealed to me. I had prayed and asked God to forgive me for all of my wretchedness. I asked Him to help me know him. I asked Him what He wanted me to do now that I had come to understand and know who He was. Shortly after, that I met another sailor who lived across the hall from me in the barracks. He was carrying a Bible so we struck up a conversation and the next thing I knew was that I was attending a Bible study with a bunch of guys who belonged to a group called the Navigators. Tom Perkins was the Navigator Staff member for the base, and he took a wonderful interest in me. He taught me how to memorize Scripture and how to share my faith and the gospel message through an illustrative diagram called the Bridge Illustration. He also hooked me up with a Navy Officer in my squadron named Bernie Vanosdall to mentor me. But the thing that helped me the most I believe was the deep friendships I had developed with two other guys in my squadron. Joe Carr and Tim Carraro were and still are two of my best friends. Joe was a solid Christian and Tim was a Roman Catholic who I witnessed to and led to Christ during my first cruise to the Mediterranean. Two very important things happened to me when I met Christ. I learned what the Gospel is. The Gospel was something I truly didn’t understand until I started reading the Bible. I thought men had to be good to go to heaven. I learned there is no person good enough to go to heaven. I learned we are all sinners and even if we just break one of God’s commandments that they are all so closely associated that breaking one is breaking them all. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12) “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23) “ For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:10-11) So if we were all sinners and come short, I wondered what could the remedy be? I learned that we can’t be good enough to go to heaven. We can’t be good enough to have a relationship with God. We can’t obey the law enough since we are sinful. God is too pure and holy to accept fallen mankind. That is why He planned on and became a man and died on the cross. St. Paul knew this and wrote - “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21) Since we cannot earn our salvation or deserve a right relationship with God by our own effort, how is it that we can come to have what we need? I learned it is by faith in a person of Jesus Christ and believing in what He did for me and everyone who will believe the good news. It is a free gift we must receive. Listen to what Saint Paul wrote - “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10) “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7) It is a gift that must be received by faith. It is just like any relationship we have. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13) “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:19-20) When God awakens our hearts and causes us to be made alive in spirit again (born again), He calls for us to receive Him and come to Him freely for our salvation and reconciliation to God. He paid a very high price to redeem us from our fallen state because He loves us. The second thing I learned was that God didn’t leave us in a state where we had no power or hope for change. God has provided a means and life so that we may mature and grow up. Just like life on this earth with my parents, God is loving and caring and wants to see us grow up in His care under His parental guidance. He has also provided us with hope through His written Word even when we struggle with sin. We can know that He loves us and bares with us as a father who pities his children. Tom Perkins, the Navigator leadership missionary to us sailors had me memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13: “ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I learned to become accountable for my sin. My sin was my fault, and I needed to trust God for the way out. At the same time I also learned that I would struggle. Romans chapter 7 revealed a lot of this struggle so I knew I wouldn’t be perfect. I learned to struggle with my sinful inclinations and desires. God had done something in me. He gave me a desire for His goodness which is something I needed. I have learned to love better. I am still learning it and growing in it-even thirty years later. I have learned to care about my fellow man better and put others concerns before mine. I am learning to be more like Christ. It has been a long process and I am still learning how to overcome things and sin that I allowed into my life long ago. I am growing to be more Christ like St. Paul admonished. “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1-11) I am still growing and hopefully learning what St. Paul learned. I pray we all may learn it and experience this love and abundant life while pressing on to know and grow in His goodness. I try not to let the past weigh me down as I keep looking on with a future hope. “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:7-14) “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:9-11) May you find Christ and His goodness! I plead with everyone to call me to account and to be reconciled to God. That way we help keep each other in the way of lLove and shine forth God’s glory. A word about Second Reformed Presbyterian Church. I have found that church membership has been very important to the Christian life. I have discussed this with others who have fears of belonging to a local church. Some people have been hurt and seen things done that ought not be done by Christians. I admit to having done and seeing things that shouldn’t have been done. I understand those fears having been a member of a few different churches. After I was discharged from my enlistment in the Navy, I came back home and found I was without the encouragement of my Christian friends. I started to struggle with obeying God and doing what is right. I was like the amber of a fire that popped and flew out of the fire pit. I started to lose my heat and cool off. I also knew God intended for me to be in fellowship but I was neglecting it. Fortunately I started to find some fellowship. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) I just didn’t know where to turn or where to go since I really didn’t have a church background here at home. In the mid to late 80’s, I found and became a member of 2^nd Reformed Presbyterian Church because of a few friends and their association with the Navigators. I had a wonderful experience of growth and discipleship there. I developed some friendships that have been ongoing for 25 years. I ended up transferring membership to a baptist church for many years during my marriage. The church I transferred to was a wonderful church for my young family. As things progressed in life, I went through a divorce after twelve years of marriage. I am grateful for my church membership and the care the eldership of that church had for my family. They literally kept my soul and protected all of my family. Submission to my elders and church leadership was very important. It protected my family and gave us care we needed when I got really sick. I found myself in hard times and obeyed my elders even when what they were saying seemed hard. I listened to them even when I didn’t think they understood my situation. In the end God proved true in that He gives grace to the humble. He protected me and my kids when the divorce was thrust upon us. I ended up raising my sons full time. We visited 2^nd Reformed Presbyterian Church a few times through the years. Dr. Blackwood (now Emeritus Pastor) sat down with my son Daniel when he was in Jr. High and shared his testimony with him. Daniel is now 21 years old and very active at 2^nd Reformed Presbyterian Church. Roy’s testimony impacted him greatly. A few years later we asked if we could return to Second Reformed Presbyterian Church,and we were welcomed back with open arms. The accountability and love that we receive from our pastors and elders are such a blessing. Pastor Rich and James have both been to my house numerous times as friends. My elder has visited. My friends come by and it is just like the old days when I use to go visiting with my grandparents. We didn’t just sit around the house in those days. My family actually would go visiting their friends while we kids got together and played. The encouragement we receive and are able to give at 2^nd RP is the best I have experienced in my thirty years of knowing God. No one is on a witch hunt to point out where we need to grow, but we are encouraged to see what God wants us to see and respond to God’s Word. We are encouraged to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. The one thing that is most important to the church God has built at 2^nd Reformed Presbyterian Church is that Christ is the King. He is a loving gracious King. And we are all supposed to be fitted into the body of Christ for the benefit of His Kingdom. And it is worldwide. It isn’t just a Kingdom that focuses on a local congregation. I would encourage everyone to come by for a visit, especially if you want to see what Jesus is doing in the world today. After Andrew (St. Peter’s brother) and another disciple of John the Baptist heard Jesus, speak they lingered after Him. Jesus noticing it turned and asked them what they were seeking. Andrew asked him where He was staying. Jesus just turned to him and said, “Come and see.” That small invite and conversation changed Andrew for the rest of his life. If you want to see where Jesus is dwelling and what He is doing in His world as King, come by and get to know us. Christ dwells in the midst of our congregation as He is the King of our hearts and souls. Wherever He has planted His church He dwells in their midst. Come and see. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

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I remember when I was very young I had an epiphany about my mortality and realized that my parents were going to die someday, and it drove me to tears since I was so in love with them. My dad came upon me in my distress and tried to calm my fears by telling me that if we stay good people we will always be together after death because we will go to heaven. That still didn’t help a whole lot, but it did guide me in some of my theological understanding for the next years.

By the time I entered my mid-teen years, I realized that I was not a good person. My dad had left my mom for another woman. That was devastating. I had been involved with drugs, alcohol, and crimes that I am too embarrassed to speak about. I was on a very self-destructive course of life. Just weeks before turning eighteen years of age I had stolen a car and passed out at the wheel sending it through the other side of a six lane interstate. I awoke to a policeman asking me if I was okay.

I ended up going into the United States Navy so that I could pay restitution and fulfill my obligations for my crime. I was fortunate that I was still considered a juvenile. My punishment would have been much more severe had I bee ighteen.

After joining the Navy, I went through boot camp and necessary training for my job as a mechanic on fighter jets. I was still heavily involved with drugs and alcohol but was ever growing tired of all the heartache and sorrow it brought. Some things transpired that caused me to ask my mother to send me a Living Bible that she had been trying to get me to read for some time. I had been contemplating my mortality and all the fortunate things that had happened to me. I figured if I continued on the path I was headed I was going to run out of fortune. I did believe in God and figured that He was going to run out of patience with me someday. After all, I had a few close friends who were dead already. Why should I be allowed to continue to live?

I read through the four Gospels in a few weeks. The book of Matthew exposed my sinful heart. It wasn’t just the actions of my life that condemned me. I discovered it was the attitudes of my heart that brought me into conflict with God. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Matthew 5:21-22)

The next one really hit home because adultery was a sin that tore my family apart, and it was a very painful thing in my life. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” (Matthew 5:27-28)

Those passages of Scripture exposed a major problem in my life: my heart. My inclinations and attitudes were sinful and disobedient to God.

The book of Mark showed me the compassion of Christ. The book of Luke showed me the wonderful Healer. But the book of John revealed the most wonderful thing to me: who Jesus was.

When I was young we had five channels to watch on the television. Today we have hundreds. The three major networks were CBS, ABC, and NBC. We also had a local channel and a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) channel. Back in those days, we celebrated holidays and centered our seasonal times around a church calendar. We had Easter Break instead of Spring Break. There was Christmas Vacation instead of Winter Break. During those holiday seasons they played religious programs on television like The Ten Commandments, The Robe, The King of Kings, and a few others. My parents always watched them. One in particular was very important to me. It was Cecil B. Demille’s movie, The Ten Commandments. During one point of the movie Moses, who is God’s prophet, goes up to see a sight he finds miraculous. It is a bush that is on fire but is not being consumed. A voice speaks to him out of the bush, and it is God proclaiming that He is the God of Moses’ past ancestors. Moses asked this God what His name was. God replied by telling Moses that I AM is His name. (There are a lot of things God reveals by His name but that is another topic.)

To explain why the book of John is most wonderful in revelation for me I will have to back up a bit. When I was going to school for my Naval training at Millington, Tennessee, I was approached by a street preacher. He tried to tell me that Jesus Christ was God manifest as a man and that He loved me. I just thought he was a nut job. I could not understand what he was telling me because I reasoned that I am not my dad and my dad is not me. I was having problems also with the concept that God loved mankind by giving his Son to die for the sins of the world. My dad sacrificed us for the love of another, and I just couldn’t see that there was any good in any of that. So I perceived Christianity was a terrible religion. Especially if God made His Son pay for my sin and He didn’t. But I sure did admire Jesus.

By the time I got to the book of John, I was growing more convinced about how good Jesus was and how good God was and wanted us to be. I started to understand that my understanding about God was a bit out of kilter. I was realizing God was truthful, just, and good. When I got through the eighth chapter of John my life was totally turned around. I read:

So you are greater than our father Abraham, who died? Who do you think you are? Then Jesus told them this: “If I am merely boasting about Myself, it doesn’t count. But it is My Father—and you claim Him as your God—who is saying these glorious things about Me. But you do not even know Him. I do. If I said other-wise, I would be as great a liar as you! But it is true—I know Him and fully obey Him. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day. He knew I was coming and was glad. You aren’t even 50 years old—sure, you’ve seen Abraham! The absolute truth is that I was in existence before Abraham was ever born! (John 8:53-58 – Living Bible)

I had realized that my whole conception about God was incorrect and that my understanding about God was wrong. My understanding about God was based upon my understanding and relationship with my dad. By the time I got done reading John 8:58 I realized that Jesus was the Great I AM. Jesus was the God who talked to Moses out of the burning bush. The Living Bible is not a translation of the Bible. It is what they call a paraphrase. The real rendering of John 8:58 quotes Jesus as saying, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” I realized that the Almighty God loved me and sacrificed Himself for me. I realized that God loved me and paid the price for my sin. He was my rescuer. I started to understand that God was Three persons in one Being. This teaching is called the Trinity. I learned that God loved me as a Father and would never cast me off. He paid the highest price of all. He gave Himself. What love!

I have to admit at this time that my mother played a big part in my coming to Christ. After my dad left home she sacrificed and tolerated me when I did nothing but hurt her. She never gave up on me. She prayed and tried to point me to Christ. She did her best to exhibit the same love of God that St. John had revealed to me.

I had prayed and asked God to forgive me for all of my wretchedness. I asked Him to help me know him. I asked Him what He wanted me to do now that I had come to understand and know who He was. Shortly after, that I met another sailor who lived across the hall from me in the barracks. He was carrying a Bible so we struck up a conversation and the next thing I knew was that I was attending a Bible study with a bunch of guys who belonged to a group called the Navigators. Tom Perkins was the Navigator Staff member for the base, and he took a wonderful interest in me. He taught me how to memorize Scripture and how to share my faith and the gospel message through an illustrative diagram called the Bridge Illustration. He also hooked me up with a Navy Officer in my squadron named Bernie Vanosdall to mentor me. But the thing that helped me the most I believe was the deep friendships I had developed with two other guys in my squadron. Joe Carr and Tim Carraro were and still are two of my best friends. Joe was a solid Christian and Tim was a Roman Catholic who I witnessed to and led to Christ during my first cruise to the Mediterranean.

Two very important things happened to me when I met Christ. I learned what the Gospel is. The Gospel was something I truly didn’t understand until I started reading the Bible. I thought men had to be good to go to heaven. I learned there is no person good enough to go to heaven. I learned we are all sinners and even if we just break one of God’s commandments that they are all so closely associated that breaking one is breaking them all.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

“ For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.” (James 2:10-11)

So if we were all sinners and come short, I wondered what could the remedy be? I learned that we can’t be good enough to go to heaven. We can’t be good enough to have a relationship with God. We can’t obey the law enough since we are sinful. God is too pure and holy to accept fallen mankind. That is why He planned on and became a man and died on the cross.

St. Paul knew this and wrote - “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)

Since we cannot earn our salvation or deserve a right relationship with God by our own effort, how is it that we can come to have what we need? I learned it is by faith in a person of Jesus Christ and believing in what He did for me and everyone who will believe the good news. It is a free gift we must receive.

Listen to what Saint Paul wrote -

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5-7)

It is a gift that must be received by faith. It is just like any relationship we have.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:19-20)

When God awakens our hearts and causes us to be made alive in spirit again (born again), He calls for us to receive Him and come to Him freely for our salvation and reconciliation to God. He paid a very high price to redeem us from our fallen state because He loves us.

The second thing I learned was that God didn’t leave us in a state where we had no power or hope for change. God has provided a means and life so that we may mature and grow up. Just like life on this earth with my parents, God is loving and caring and wants to see us grow up in His care under His parental guidance. He has also provided us with hope through His written Word even when we struggle with sin. We can know that He loves us and bares with us as a father who pities his children.

Tom Perkins, the Navigator leadership missionary to us sailors had me memorize 1 Corinthians 10:13: “ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

I learned to become accountable for my sin. My sin was my fault, and I needed to trust God for the way out. At the same time I also learned that I would struggle. Romans chapter 7 revealed a lot of this struggle so I knew I wouldn’t be perfect. I learned to struggle with my sinful inclinations and desires. God had done something in me. He gave me a desire for His goodness which is something I needed. I have learned to love better. I am still learning it and growing in it-even thirty years later. I have learned to care about my fellow man better and put others concerns before mine. I am learning to be more like Christ. It has been a long process and I am still learning how to overcome things and sin that I allowed into my life long ago. I am growing to be more Christ like St. Paul admonished.

“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:1-11)

I am still growing and hopefully learning what St. Paul learned. I pray we all may learn it and experience this love and abundant life while pressing on to know and grow in His goodness. I try not to let the past weigh me down as I keep looking on with a future hope.

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:7-14)

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” (John 10:9-11)

May you find Christ and His goodness! I plead with everyone to call me to account and to be reconciled to God. That way we help keep each other in the way of lLove and shine forth God’s glory.

A word about Second Reformed Presbyterian Church.

I have found that church membership has been very important to the Christian life. I have discussed this with others who have fears of belonging to a local church. Some people have been hurt and seen things done that ought not be done by Christians. I admit to having done and seeing things that shouldn’t have been done. I understand those fears having been a member of a few different churches.

After I was discharged from my enlistment in the Navy, I came back home and found I was without the encouragement of my Christian friends. I started to struggle with obeying God and doing what is right. I was like the amber of a fire that popped and flew out of the fire pit. I started to lose my heat and cool off. I also knew God intended for me to be in fellowship but I was neglecting it. Fortunately I started to find some fellowship. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

I just didn’t know where to turn or where to go since I really didn’t have a church background here at home.

In the mid to late 80’s, I found and became a member of 2^nd Reformed Presbyterian Church because of a few friends and their association with the Navigators. I had a wonderful experience of growth and discipleship there. I developed some friendships that have been ongoing for 25 years. I ended up transferring membership to a baptist church for many years during my marriage. The church I transferred to was a wonderful church for my young family.

As things progressed in life, I went through a divorce after twelve years of marriage. I am grateful for my church membership and the care the eldership of that church had for my family. They literally kept my soul and protected all of my family. Submission to my elders and church leadership was very important. It protected my family and gave us care we needed when I got really sick. I found myself in hard times and obeyed my elders even when what they were saying seemed hard. I listened to them even when I didn’t think they understood my situation. In the end God proved true in that He gives grace to the humble. He protected me and my kids when the divorce was thrust upon us. I ended up raising my sons full time.

We visited 2^nd Reformed Presbyterian Church a few times through the years. Dr. Blackwood (now Emeritus Pastor) sat down with my son Daniel when he was in Jr. High and shared his testimony with him. Daniel is now 21 years old and very active at 2^nd Reformed Presbyterian Church. Roy’s testimony impacted him greatly. A few years later we asked if we could return to Second Reformed Presbyterian Church,and we were welcomed back with open arms.

The accountability and love that we receive from our pastors and elders are such a blessing. Pastor Rich and James have both been to my house numerous times as friends. My elder has visited. My friends come by and it is just like the old days when I use to go visiting with my grandparents. We didn’t just sit around the house in those days. My family actually would go visiting their friends while we kids got together and played.

The encouragement we receive and are able to give at 2^nd RP is the best I have experienced in my thirty years of knowing God. No one is on a witch hunt to point out where we need to grow, but we are encouraged to see what God wants us to see and respond to God’s Word. We are encouraged to be doers of the Word and not hearers only.

The one thing that is most important to the church God has built at 2^nd Reformed Presbyterian Church is that Christ is the King. He is a loving gracious King. And we are all supposed to be fitted into the body of Christ for the benefit of His Kingdom. And it is worldwide. It isn’t just a Kingdom that focuses on a local congregation.

I would encourage everyone to come by for a visit, especially if you want to see what Jesus is doing in the world today. After Andrew (St. Peter’s brother) and another disciple of John the Baptist heard Jesus, speak they lingered after Him. Jesus noticing it turned and asked them what they were seeking. Andrew asked him where He was staying. Jesus just turned to him and said, “Come and see.” That small invite and conversation changed Andrew for the rest of his life. If you want to see where Jesus is dwelling and what He is doing in His world as King, come by and get to know us. Christ dwells in the midst of our congregation as He is the King of our hearts and souls. Wherever He has planted His church He dwells in their midst. Come and see. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Testimonies

Laura Mangan (age 18)

Rylie Robinson

Pastor James Faris

Dan Cutter

Russ Pulliam

Randy Snyder

Second RPC

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