BECOMING
A CHRIST-FOLLOWER As a child my parents
forced us to attend church occasionally. It seemed boring and irrelevant. A friend invited us to another church
where I understood the message and people seemed excited about Jesus. After a couple of months of hearing the Bible
taught, on September 24, 1972, I responded to a traditional "walk the isle" invitation and Pastor Harlan Rahilly
showed me how to accept Christ as my personal Savior. I was baptized a few weeks after I made that decision. It
is a decision for which I am eternally grateful.
DAILY TIME WITH GOD In September of 1977 at Berean Christian High School (Walnut Creek,
CA) during spiritual emphasis week, I made a covenant to spend time
with God everyday. It is a commitment I have endeavored to keep to this day.
CALL TO MINISTRY From childhood, I had planned to be a lawyer. In 1978 at a high school chapel, we were urged to ask God to show us how He could best use us. I began doing that on
a daily basis. God began bringing ministry opportunities to me that confirmed my spiritual gifts. Situations and
ministry opportunities arose where friends, family members, and even people I did not know would say, “You should be
a pastor.” God continued to use His Word, my prayer time, and other circumstances to draw me. Soon God made
it clear to me that this was how I could best serve Him. I first declared it publicly at a youth camp in July of 1980.
That is a calling and decision I have never doubted.
COMMITMENT
TO LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT The early
part of 1994, I met Dr. John Maxwell who had a dramatic ministry affect on my life. Through his materials, seminars,
and personal contact, I realized that I needed to develop disciples for Christ and leaders for the ministry. Since then,
I have made it a practice to develop men through one-on-one discipleship, prayer partners, and leadership training.
I have also committed to continually develop my own leadership and pastoring skills.