Maybe the most important question anyone can ever ask is, "How do I begin a spiritual journey?" Let me begin by sharing how my journey began.
When I was six years old I attended a Christian camp for kids, Camp Caraway, in North Carolina. I was going through a difficult time, my parents had just split up, and I felt rejected and abandoned. At this camp one night a counselor explained to me that God loved me, that God wanted to be my father, and that He would never leave me. For me those were life changing words and I decided that night to begin following Christ. I am 33 years old now which means I have been on this journey for 27 years! During this journey I have discovered some amazing things. I have learned that God is forgiving. Even though I have made lots of big mistakes God has forgiven me. I have learned that God loves me, he proved this love by giving the life of his one and only son as payment for my sin. I have been adopted into a new family. God has been my father and I am growing to look more and more like Him. I have discovered a purpose worth living for. I get to invite other people to begin this journey and watch as they make the same amazing discoveries. I am convinced that people recognize there is a God and just need help knowing how to connect with Him and to begin this amazing journey. I can tell you, after 27 years, there is nothing in the world like it. I hope you will decide to Follow Christ!
How do I get started?
First, you must hear God's invitation to follow him. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus said follow me and I will make you fishers of men. This was a simple way to invite a group of ordinary men to begin an amazing journey with Christ. God created us to know Him and enjoy Him forever. As you read this page, listen to the voice of God, inviting you to follow Him.
Second, we must realize our need for forgiveness. See the Bible teaches that we have all broken God's law (Romans 3:23) and deserve to be punished (Romans 6:23). Can you imagine standing before God and having to explain all the mistakes you have made? Can you imagine if God held you responsible for every mistake? This is exactly what the Bible teaches us God will do. (Exodus 34:7).
Third, we must turn away from sin, selfishness, and independence and turn to Christ. See before a person becomes a Christian they live for themselves. Becoming a Christian is an invitation to live for Christ. Jesus is inviting you to follow Him. The Bible calls this repentance and says unless we repent we cannot have a relationship with God. (Luke 13:1-5) Jesus is inviting you to acknowledge Him as king and to follow him, to submit to His rule and authority in your life.
Fourth, we begin this spiritual journey. Salvation is not saying a prayer or doing some religious ritual to earn a spot in heaven. Salvation is knowing and following Jesus. (John 17:3) As we begin to follow Him, He begins to transform our lives. In fact when we begin to follow Christ, He produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control in our lives. (Galatians 5:22) This is how we know our relationship with God is authentic. As we follow Him, He changes us.
Fifth, get plugged into a local church. The church's responsibility is to help you along in your journey. As you involve yourself in the life of our church we will help you begin to follow Christ. For a detailed description of how this works click on the Our Mission tab at the top of the page.
I hope you will decide to join me on the journey of a lifetime. Jesus is inviting you to come and follow Him!