I was blessed by the Lord to be born into a Christian family. My parents were both regenerated Christians and faithful churchgoers. We used to say that every time the church doors were open our family was there. From the time I was old enough to sit in a pew I went to the adult worship services that followed Sunday School. It was during a music special (one line from a song I remember - “it only takes a spark to get a fire going”) at Park Heights Baptist Church in San Angelo, Texas that I was first touched by the Lord in a personal way. It is still amazing to me that at eight years old I could have such a realization that I was a sinner and that my sins had separated me from God. As I cried in the pew my parents helped me to go to the front to make a profession of faith to the pastor. The pastor Bobby Eckland led me in prayer. A few weeks later I was baptized. From my recollection it was from that time that I realized that I was different from other people. Different in the sense that regardless of how much I tried to fit in with my friends something within said I belonged to God.
Elementary School to High School
Having said that I realized I was different didn't mean the difference was manifested outwardly. I remember in fourth grade one of my friends telling me that I could cuss better than anyone in my class. That evaluation pierced to my heart and convicted me that if I was a Christian how could I behave like that. This kind of conviction led to doubt about my salvation. I did make effort to believe harder but it didn't seem to effect much change in my behavior. So at about age twelve I went forward to make another profession of faith. I prayed with Fred Weisen this time. My parents were surprised because I had done this before. My mother asked me that evening why I had gone to the front again. I expressed to her my doubt about my salvation. She then asked me if I was now sure I was saved to which I replied yes. But as it turned out her very question caused the doubts to rise up within me. Somehow by the time I got to high school I realized that I had assurance of salvation even if my behavior didn't match that of even my own Christian standard.
College
By the time I graduated from high school I was tired of “being made to go” to church. So I had determined that once away I'd never go or at least not regularly. Though I didn't go to church during those four years at UT my mother did have some spiritual impact on me through her Bible reading. At her suggestion, I began to read Proverbs one chapter a day. At the end of my fourth year at UT I met the brothers. Around the same time I had just started a punk band. At our first and last performance my father made a comment to one of the policeman providing security about not knowing any of those kids up on stage. That made me think about what I was doing. Then one day two brothers who were with Christians on Campus approached me on the UT campus. I really wasn't seeking Christians fellowship but through them I was drawn back to the Lord. During the summer break I enjoyed fellowship with students on the campus and was invited to attend several home meetings. Through the fellowship, singing, and testimonies my heart was warmed up by the Lord Jesus. I had never known that the Christian life could be so filled with enjoyment and love. Thank you Lord. In the fall I moved in with some Christian brothers. Through the fellowship with those brothers and the many who passed through our doors I was captured by Jesus. After graduating with a BA in government I sought out a campus job as a way to remain on campus. I will be forever indebted to the brothers who spent time with me while I was at UT. I got so much help in knowing the Bible and the Lord Jesus in those years with Christians on campus. Thank the Lord for those Christian brothers and sisters who have given of their time and themselves in this labor with the young people. Surely the Lord could have used many ways to recover me, a back-slidden Christian, but He chose to use Christians on Campus. Surely my debt is to the Lord but I am thankful that Christians on Campus was there for the Lord to use.
V. S.
— San Angelo, TX
