I had it all, I was in the third grade
Big house, big family, cookies and milk when I got home from school
Then the unbelievable happened
Dad went one way, mom went another, four kids, two assigned to each
What was whole, became pieces
It was then I met Jesus
As saviour, as healer, as friend, my life was forever transformed
For the next several years I ran
I ran in pursuit of Him
I ran in pursuit of the things of the world
Back and forth I ran
In high school I experienced an undeniable calling into ministry with His undeniable voice
Off on a run I went again
This time it was not running “to” but running “from”
In college, in business school, I was in denial
One day I left accounting class, walking the campus on a beautiful day
It happened again, an undeniable call from the undeniable voice
“Bruce, when are you going to stop running from me?”
I ran home, home to my calling
Senior year and I saw her
Beautiful, wonderful and she was running
She was running from
My friends told me to look away, she was too wild
She asked me to be patient; she wanted to run “to” again
Patient I was
(Little did I know how many times she would have to return the patience favor)
Off to my masters of divinity we went
Thought God made a mistake
Preacher’s voice and preacher’s hairdo I did not have
God showed me in His Holy Word that with the least He does the greatest
Nearing graduation we were given a gift, we called him Caleb
Diploma in hand and Maryland-bound, a church we were off to start
No core group, no financial support, but lots of encouragement from some friendly Baptists
Each day food and shelter us three waited upon
With so few new church starts surviving, perhaps this time God made a mistake
God reminded me that with little He does much
We started with 20, we quickly grew to 10
Vision was simple: to simply love God and love people
That has not changed
God made a little into a lot
From our townhouse to a school to a 12,000 foot warehouse
Helping people, regardless of where they are at in their spiritual journey, to connect and grow in Jesus
As saviour, as healer, as friend, my life was forever transformed
And what he has done for me he can do for you.
A few other things you ought to know about me…
My wife Terri and my sons Caleb and Levi are the best gifts I have
Friendships are really important to me
I occasionally enjoy a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon
My hobbies include going to Lifetime Fitness, reading and watching the show “Lost”
I am fortunate enough to be able to be working on my doctorate
I consider myself a blessed man