At a young age, I knew God existed. The reality of God's love was evident in our home, and my parents did not shy away from prioritizing matters of faith. As children, we noticed.

Growing up, my family attended church services regularly. I remember sitting in a pew of a Southern Baptist church in Orlando, Florida, listening to God's Word being proclaimed, praying, and singing many well-known hymns and choruses with the congregation. Church gatherings were a regular part of life: Sunday School, worship services, and Sunday and Wednesday evenings as well!

What I witnessed about God as a child, both at church and in our home, was compelling. I sensed that God desired something more for me than just knowing Him as the Creator of all things. As a result, my attention turned early in life to having a relationship with the Lord. I questioned in my heart and mind: Do I really love God? Is God the priority of my life?

Looking back, I was well equipped to find answers to those questions. I could find any book of the Bible and compete in Bible Drill. I had memorized Scripture verses through the Awana program our church offered. I understood the gospel presentation of the colorful "Wordless Book." I could explain the "Romans Road of Salvation" through the pages of the New Testament, having underlined each step in my Bible. I could sing the story and words of our faith. I even wrestled with the popular evangelistic question of the era, challenging my mortality and eternal destiny: "If you were to die tonight, are you 100% certain you would go to heaven?"

Would I go to heaven and live forever with God? Was I living with God now?

I began to examine my actions and was disturbed by the results. I had lied, stolen from my brothers, and disobeyed my parents. That made me a liar, thief, and rebel—and that wasn't all! By God's standard of righteousness, I was guilty of breaking God's Law and falling short of His glory. I was a sinner, and my sin deserved eternal judgment. In God's sight, my heart was as dark as the black page in that "Wordless Book." To love God and have a relationship with Him, I needed forgiveness; I needed a new heart—I needed a Savior!

The Holy Spirit used the Word of God that I had learned to convict me of my sin, my need for Christ's righteousness, and my need for salvation from the coming judgment. The same Scripture that revealed my sin also pointed me to the Savior, Jesus Christ.

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (ESV)

One evening, before heading to church, I prayed to God with the faith of a child. I confessed with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, that He died for my sins on the cross, and believed in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. I asked God to make me new and empower me to live for Him. I believe God answered that prayer that night, when I was born again by His grace to love God and live for Him.

Later, I met with my pastor and told him what God had done for me. I then followed Jesus with obedience through baptism. My passion for Jesus and telling others about Him confirmed God's saving work and priority in my life.

Around this time, I sensed a desire to serve the Lord with my life, whatever that meant. I did not know what a "pastor" or "preacher" was, but I felt drawn to whatever I saw the pastor doing on Sundays in church and wondered if that was what God wanted me to do too. My interest did not fade, and I began to tell others what I was considering. Over time, God confirmed this vocational call to serve Jesus and His Church. In the words of Beeson Divinity School, I believe God has called me to be "a pastor who can preach."

I did not want to be a pastor because there wasn't anything else I could do—I wanted to be able to do anything else and pastor because that is what God called me to do! Having a well-rounded experience and education was important to me, and I thought it would serve me well in understanding the people and needs of local churches I would serve. Therefore, I opted to pursue a business degree first, double majoring in finance and insurance. During college, in addition to my studies, I learned a lot about worship and evangelism through leadership roles in the Baptist Student Union on campus. The experiences I enjoyed then prepared and shaped me for the path ahead.

Even now, the Lord continues to use people, experiences, and even trials to lead and equip me for the work He has prepared for me, and for us! As a family, we consider ministry to be our calling and count it all joy to learn and serve God together. To God be the glory!