I was born a Catholic. Really that is all that you have to do. The priests take care of everything else except your assurance of salvation, ever.

In 1972 I had moved into a basement apartment in an old three story house. On the first floor there were three young women who were energetic. They kept talking about Christ and salvation and how He changes lives.

In August of 1972 on of them prompted me to watch a telecast of EXPO-72 from Texas. I believe that Bill Bright and Bill Glass were the major speakers.

My life was in a tailspin downward and I found frustration in most of what I was doing. That night after the show I went to bed in misery. I remember the words that one of the Bill’s had said “If your life is not going right to invite Jesus into your heart as Lord and Savior”.

As I lay there in bed I asked Jesus to come into my life (at least for a little while) still feeling the fear of my Catholic upbringing. I immediately fell to sleep.

The next morning I awoke feeling as if I was floating a foot off the bed. I had been born again. Most of what I had heard about Christ and the Bible in the past was actually true. Jesus, Peter, Paul, and John were real. I mean real, not fictitious players in a story.

That afternoon I bought a Living Bible and started reading from Genesis onward. I devoured it. I started attending the Gospel Chapel that Sunday. The first week I was taken in as a brother by Richard Burson, the minister. Richard asked me over for dinner and started meeting with me often for discipleship.

I became totally immersed in the work at the Chapel. Going to church early to meet with Richard and several other young men. Making coffee. Putting messages on the marquee outside. Baking bread for communion. Cooking meals for the entire congregation. Treasurer, Sunday school superintendent.

Richard and I attended the Upper Room Fellowship at the local prison each week. I attended several gatherings and Bible studies. This is where I received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

Eventually from there I was sent off to be a short termed missionary with Literature Crusades.