I’ve had this website up and running for about fifteen years or more. I created it when I was beginning to see the pagan influence in the church. At one time it had hundreds of blog posts in my attempt to reach people with that truth. Along the way I became too focused on the Torah of Moses and begin to neglect my First Love, who is Messiah, Christ Jesus, or as I’ve called Him and some of my brothers and sisters call Him Yahusha, Yeshua, or some pronunciation of what we think is right. I don’t believe any of us know for sure. I was called to ministry in 1988. I have functioned as a worship leader, and teaching elder. But in my primary calling being the Pastor of an assembly, I have not.
I have been called to Auburn, Indiana, after living in and ministering in the Lagrange County area for over twenty years. Having been in the church since I was born again in November of 1987, I’ve been in several churches, from pentecostal to baptist, non-denominational and Hebrew Roots, or Messianic assemblies. I’ve been influenced by man’s religion in every one of them to one extent or another. But I’ve been called back to my First Love.
When I was born again in 1987, that first year was incredible. He did miraculous things in my life! I couldn’t get enough of worship and reading the Scriptures, and telling people about His goodness and love and mercy and grace. The Gospel, or Good News was good news indeed to me and I wanted to share it. Before I began to succumb to the influence of man’s religion it was really simple to me. He loved me first, died for me, rose again, that I might share new life in Him. He said it, I listened and did it. But over the years the baggage continued to build up until He spoke to me while reading Revelation Chapter Two.
“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. Andyou have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’
It took the passing of my oldest daughter to awaken me from my sleep, to begin the return to my First Love, and to get on with what He has called me to do. I’m nearly done with a book about her journey, and our family along with a collection of songs I’ve written. The goal is to inspire others to a life of belief. I would have loved for her to be here for this part of the journey, but she completed her’s and is with the Master. She loved Him. It was one of the last things she said to me. What I’m learning and coming back to now, she is in the presence of. HalleluYah
I am a songwriter and have been involved in the music business for over fifty years. I also managed Christian Radio – WQKO, WJCO, and WCVM – with CSN International/Calvary Radio Network, for seven years. But over the years I became estranged from brothers in ministry that I was once close to. I’m renewing those relationships and it’s like a breath of fresh air and a cool drink of water to my soul.
My wife, Karen, and I are now empty nesters. Our last child moved out earlier this year. As I write this we are just a couple of weeks away from moving to Auburn, IN. I plan to find a location to begin a Bible Study with the goal of planting a church. It will be called First Love Assembly.
So many people I know are disillusioned with Church, due to personal experience or what they’ve heard from others. I know that well, because I’ve been there. I was raised in the Old Regular Baptist Church where my dad was a preacher and moderator of one of their assemblies. But as a teenager and early adulthood I was too busy playing music in the bars and trying to make it in the music business to pursue a relationship with God. My band achieved a following and a modicum of success regionally, but I became torn about the direction. I realized that if the band really did “make it” so to speak, that I would be on the road and away from my wife and two little girls, and that scared me. But I persisted because it was expected of me. Meantime my marriage was crumbling due my thick-headedness and selfishness.
November 23rd, 1987, I was born again from above. I was led to Jesus by an associate minister from Liberty Baptist Church on the telephone. I had a vision of being in a dark room, going through a door and closing it behind me, and knowing I would never back through it again. I went outside my house at Cree Lake, north of Kendallville, and the air smelled fresher, I could see more clearly, and I felt lighter than air. I was brand new, and I’ve never been the same. My heavenly Papa preserved mine and Karen’s marriage and we then had two more children.
I am coming back to that feeling of freedom in the Spirit in my being, and I want others to know the life-changing Good News of Messiah. Many who knew me in the music business, or in a church setting, or that I grew up with, or anyone out there who is tired of being tired and burdened and feeling hopeless and lost, I want to tell you that Jesus, or Yeshua, whatever name you choose to refer to the Biblical Savior, loves you and wants to deliver you. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. No, that doesn’t mean you can continue in a sinful lifestyle. It means that He will set you free from the sin that holds you down, and you become yoked with Him, and He places no burdens on you that you can’t carry, in Him. He does all the heavy lifting. That’s what this ministry is all about. More details to come… If you ever want to talk, I’m free for coffee and we can have a conversation.
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