My walk with the Lord

I was raised in a community (non-denominational church) in Northern California, amongst the tall ponderosa pines of the Klamath River.  I gave my life to Christ Jesus at the age of six, and even though I was so young, I remember watching the pastor one Sunday morning as he gave his message, and the Lord moved upon my heart.  As I watched his gentle ways, I remember the words within me, “I want to be like him.”  That was a very profound experience for me, even to this day!  I was privileged to be baptized in the cold waters of Horse Creek, in public display, and before all creation (I always felt like it was a Jordan River experience)--I was truly blessed to have parents who sought the Lord.

When we moved to Tucson at the age of 12, we tried many churches, but each one was so different from what we were used to.  Eventually we stopped going, and thus began the wandering years of my life.  I truly believe they were years of teaching and understanding for me that would become important life lessons to be eventually utilized in the ministry. My college days were the toughest--a major secular university did not aid to a holiness experience, but the Lord kept His hand upon me and through all these nomadic days, I continued to feel and know the Lord’s spirit within me.  His gentle, yet powerful nudges kept my mind from totally leaving His presence.

In 1984, the Lord got my attention through a car accident.  I was not injured, but, if I ever heard the Lord audibly it was then.  He carefully reminded me that He could have taken my life and that I would have never seen my family (Robin and Desyrae at that time) again.  Well, that was all it took.  Robin & I started going back to church, and began serving the Lord in various ministries.  I began in the Youth ministry as a helper and soon found myself in another church as a Youth Pastor.  I was wonderfully blessed to have in my life a very evangelistic mentor during this time.  He had a great love for the Lord, and he became a very good friend; his impact on my life was profound.  Through his ministry mentoring, my relationship with the Lord grew greatly.  The Lord’s sanctifying work took hold of my life during this time.  I completely surrendered my life to Him and I desired to follow His direction.

I joined the Wesleyan Church family in 1986 or so.  I entered as an assistant pastor of young adults.  My pastor at the time and I had a wonderful time of ministry together.  There was great teamwork between us and the Lord blessed us as we pursued the vision God had created within us.  I was called to pastor a small church in Tucson in 1991, leaving the work the Lord was blessing for a new direction and a new people.  This small church of 25 or so had no idea what hit them.  My family and I were so blessed to be in the Lord’s control.  The church was a wonderful loving and accepting ministry.  Our ministry accomplished two additional church plants (Hispanic), a relocated church, many staff and pastors sent out and a ministry of over 200 plus and the Lord is moving again.  What a joy it is to walk with the Lord.  My testimony is only because of His grace.

Pastor Mike

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