Josh's Testimony

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." --Isaiah 53:6

I was born in Colorado, as the oldest of four siblings, to parents pursuing success in the business world. Our family moved across the country, as our father followed each new promotion, eventually leading us to Peoria, IL. While our family was based on Christian values, we rarely attended church. I understood guilt at a young age and felt depressed over my actions, which I knew were wrong, and feared the concept of death. I had never heard of Jesus.

My recurrent questions regarding God, eternity, and life after death went relatively unanswered by my parents who wanted to avoid the topics altogether, until their hearts were drastically transformed through the ministry and prayers of neighbors and members of a local church in Peoria, Illinois.

The change in our family was dramatic. We were no longer the center of our lives—Jesus was. God used the faithful witness of my parents to teach me the simple truth of the Gospel: the only deliverance from my sin would be found solely through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, where he bore God’s wrath on my behalf. I recognized my need for a Savior and placed my trust in Christ’s death and resurrection with a childlike faith. By God’s grace, I believed.

I’m certain my story is shared by many. While the seed of the Gospel was present in my life, as I entered into my teenage years, battles with sin became more fierce. I felt my faith challenged by the offers of the world and was not impervious to temptation. I faced daily battles with integrity, laziness, lust, and pride. But that faith did not die, it grew.

Through the years I can honestly say I have seen evidence of God’s grace continually at work in my life. Disobedience has always brought pain, and walking with God has always brought joy. My heart’s desire is longing to please my heavenly Father. My life has only continued to confirm my confession as a young child: Jesus is my only hope.

In 1999, our family moved to California for my father to attend seminary. Three years later we were serving as missionaries in South Africa. My years in South Africa were filled with invaluable experiences and numerous examples of God’s provision. I cherish those times.

I eventually left South Africa to attend two years of high school in America and studied business at small Christian college in California. I participated in a variety of ministries and grew profoundly in my love for God’s word. I served as the junior high and high school intern at local church and felt a burning desire to preach and study God’s word at a deeper level. I felt weak as a young man, but inevitably trusted that if I could be used in such a way, God would have to shape me.

In 2010, God cleared the path for me to attend seminary and provided a variety of opportunities for me to grow, learn, face trials, and experience His grace. By far, the greatest earthly grace God supplied during my time in seminary was my precious wife, Janea. We were married on May 19^th, 2012. Janea is an embodiment of answered prayer, joyous companionship, and Christlike love. Janea and I prayerfully anticipate serving in full-time ministry leading high school students in Peoria, Illinois after my graduation in May 2013.