Testimony: Personal Testimony

I grew up in a Pastor’s home where I heard often about how Christ had come to die on the cross to save sinners. Though I knew many Bible verses it was not until my early teen years that I began to wrestle with whether this was all for real. Though there were times when I wanted to do the right thing I still realized that there was something missing in my religion. I realized that I had no personal relationship with God. I remember clearly being in a service where the preacher said, “God does not have grandchildren.” He went on to explain that I could not get to heaven on the coattails of my parents’ relationship with the Lord. I had to decide for myself to have a relationship with the Lord. Our youth group sang early in that service and as the preacher invited the congregation to respond to the call of Christ I resisted. What would people think? What would my friends think if I, the pastor’s son, admitted I did not have a personal relationship the Lord? Finally I wrestled my hand off the pew in front of me, humbled myself, and went forward to receive Christ as my Savior, for myself. I turned from mere religion, confessed my need of God and His forgiveness, and He saved me, not only from the penalty of my sin, but in the fullest sense, He secured my total redemption. A part of that redemption was His promise that He would “conform [me] to the image of His Son” (Rom 8:29). And a part of my redemption included the privilege of someday worshiping Him around His throne without encumbrance.

I was blessed to have many believers around me who encouraged me to seek the Lord in His Word. A couple times a week I met with others to learn more about my relationship with Christ. One of the meetings each week was with a ministry team we called “The Messengers.” As we studied through the Navigators Bible program I grew to know and love the Savior who died for me. Since those early days and beyond, God has mercifully given me some wonderful worship and music leadership positions. Church youth groups, school choirs, marching bands, concert bands, and other musical groups all began molding convictions in my heart.

Alongside of these opportunities, God began growing in me a thirst for His Word. More and more it became clear to me that denominational allegiances and Christian traditions must take second place behind the Bible. More and more I realized that the Bible alone must be my source for faith and practice. Many around me cheered me on in this growing conviction. God began specifically directing me into music ministry.

I headed off to a fundamental Baptist Bible college. Believers around me told me that this would be the place where the Word would reign supreme. I was both a music education major and a Bible major ready for a thorough study of the Word as it relates to worship and music. In my naiveté, I was sure that since my passions were the Bible and music, a systematic study of what the Bible said about music would soon be forthcoming. I completed two bachelor’s degrees (one in music education and the other in Bible), a master’s degree in sacred music, and a doctor of ministry degree. Somehow in all that training a systematic overview of music and worship in the Word was noticeably absent.

It was this hunger for a tool to study the Bible on worship and music and my desire to share that tool with others that has borne me along to this place in my life. You can read more about this in My Mission.

I also want you to know a little about my family. My wife Brenda and I met in high school. Fittingly, it was in choir. (She asked me out on our first date, but that is another story.) There were only a few believers that I knew about in school so we got to know each other first as Christian friends. I attended a before school prayer time that she organized and as they say, “the rest is history.” We were married in 1979 and now have two (almost adult) daughters, Sarah and Colette. We live in Watertown, Wisconsin where I am privileged to be on the church staff at Calvary Baptist Church and teach as an adjunct professor at Maranatha Baptist Bible College.

I am passionate to help others know and live what the Word says about worship and music. My prayer for this website is that you too would know Christ and worship Him in spirit and in truth. If I can help you on that journey, don’t hesitate to contact me.