A Testimony of God’s
Goodness and Faithfulness
May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
Psalm 20:4
In the fall of 1994, I began my graduate education at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California as a newlywed and a three-year-old Christian. My goal was not to train for ministry or become a prominent theologian or professor. As a new believer in Jesus, I received the best discipleship advice that I have ever been given to date: “If you are going to follow Jesus, you need to know Him.” After two short years at Toccoa Falls Bible College, attending seminary seemed to be the next best step in my plans to know Jesus more.
I immediately fell in love with both the academic environment and the Subject of my studies. We made plans to pursue the highest degree possible, starting with an MDiv or THM, and then moving on to doctoral studies. However, in the spring of 1995, we surprisingly welcomed our first little one, Jordan, our beautiful daughter. She added so much beauty and blessings to our tiny Southern Californian household. She also added a few unexpected and alarming medical scenarios that threw us off, but we eventually steadied ourselves and were back on track with our plans.
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9
In 1996, as the world began a new year, we learned that by August, we would be welcoming twins into our family. Armed with that stunning news, the cost of living in California, and the terrifying responsibility of being a provider, I went to my academic advisor to see how quickly I could finish my education and still leave with a degree. That spring, we adjusted our plans and left Fuller with a Masters in Theology, a one-year-old in tow, two little ones about to make their debut, and uncertainty about our next steps.
Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
proverbs 6:3
My plan for seminary was to get to know Jesus more. This testimony would become wearisome to read if I listed all the amazing ways God furthered my education and helped me to truly get to know, value, and love Jesus more. So painting with broad brush strokes, let me at least color the canvas. As a reading teacher, education supervisor, adult classroom instructor, and corporate sales executive, I grew to know Him and especially His heart for the lost, the broken, the lonely, and the wandering. I grew closer to Jesus during times of chasing dreamy entrepreneurial goals and even during the shadowy times of being a frustrated churchgoer.
The most meaningful way for me to deepen my relationship with Jesus has been through the real and transformative experience of being a husband to my wife and a father to not only the three children we had when we left seminary, but also to the five more children that God has blessed us with. Within the intimate circle of my own family, I have come to understand the grace, holiness, goodness, faithfulness, kindness, mercy, and love of Jesus in their purest form. My journey of learning didn't end when we left seminary; in many ways, it was only the beginning.
I have had the opportunity to see, feel, smell, hear, experience, and get to know Jesus better through His beloved and sometimes bedraggled Bride, the Church. Other followers of Jesus have taught me so much about what Jesus is like, and how He would, and sometimes how He would not, act in many situations. Learning to love and serve as a church planter and pastor has brought me closer to Jesus.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Galatians 6:9
Now, in 2024, thirty years after we began ‘our plan,’ I am very thankful for God’s goodness and kindness in granting a very meaningful, well-deserved, fought hard-for, but in light of all I’ve shared, a much smaller desire of my heart, a doctoral degree from Fuller. He did not have to be so good to us, but as I’ve grown to know Jesus, it is no surprise to me that He is!
