Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, my childhood was steeped in faith from the start. I attended Maranatha Christian School and worshiped at Maranatha Baptist Church, where my spiritual foundation was laid.
One of my vivid early memories is attending AWANA at church when I was around 8 or 9 years old. It was during one of these Sunday morning sessions that my understanding of faith deepened significantly. Our teacher spoke earnestly about sin, the stark realities of Hell, and the salvation that Jesus offers through His sacrifice on the cross. That morning, as I listened to the stories of Jesus’ compassion and sacrifice, a sincere desire to be forgiven for my own sins welled up inside me. Moved by the message of the Gospel, I placed my trust solely in Christ’s finished work on the cross, seeking forgiveness and eternal life.
The impact of that decision was immediate and profound, not just for me but also for my family. Shortly after, I joined my mother and brother in prayer for my father’s salvation. My father was a police officer in Columbus, OH, and he lived a hard life, with several attempts from criminals to end his life. Unbeknownst to us, my father had already begun to question his own eternal destiny, influenced in part by my grandmother’s persistent invitations to attend church, and of course with his frequent run-ins with death. Eventually, he promised her that he would go to church if she would leave him alone. That decision, made on New Year’s Eve, led him to also place his faith in Jesus Christ—a moment of joyful surrender that echoed my own.
My father founded a ministry at Worley Terrace, a local nursing home. It was there that I discovered the joy of service, often helping out during the worship services. Alongside my father and my Bible and History teacher, Mr. Harding, we shared many rewarding moments. My father not only nurtured the residents’ spirits but also imparted valuable life lessons to me.
As my father’s faith matured, so did the spiritual lives of everyone in our family. My brother and I were deeply involved in our church’s youth group, which further enriched our lives. Our commitment led us to an exciting opportunity—a mission trip to Ireland. There, we engaged in street evangelism and puppetry, reaching out to the community with the message of hope and salvation. To prepare for this mission, we underwent training through the Evangelism Explosion program, equipping us with the necessary tools for effective evangelism.
The call to serve was strong in our family, and eventually, my parents felt led to embrace a life of full-time ministry as missionaries. Encouraged by our pastor, they chose Ecuador, South America, as their field of service. After years of deputation, gathering support from churches across the country, we embarked on this new chapter. I was 17 when we moved, and within the first week on the mission field, I met a young woman, also 17, who would later become my wife. This encounter was just one of the many blessings that awaited us.
I married Nancy on August 8, 2009, and since then, we’ve been blessed with two wonderful daughters. Shortly after our wedding, we felt a calling to mission work, but financial constraints kept us from pursuing it overseas. Fortunately, God provided me with steady employment, and our financial situation has greatly improved. As for whether full-time ministry lies in our future, I’m not certain. Regardless, God’s goodness is evident, and He has performed miracles in our lives. And He can do the greatest miracle of all for you and yours.
