Text Box: Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. - JESUS The bible clearly states that there is a war going on in the heavens for the souls of men. I have understood this well, since the day I gave my life to Christ. I felt a war inside me that day at Harvest Christian Fellowship, when the Pastor gave the invitation to come publicly before men to declare Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Some friends from school had dragged me there. They’d been trying for months to get me to come, while I laughed and mocked them. I remember, when the when the Pastor gave the invitation, I said to my self “no way, that junk isn’t for me.” Even though it felt like he was talking directly to me the whole sermon. He waited a few seconds and said, “I know there are a couple more people out there, come on up, this may be your last chance to accept Christ.” I felt like I was hanging on to the chair while something was pulling me up there (I know now it was the Holy Spirit). That was the day of salvation! I was raised in the typical alcoholic home. My mom and dad both drank as well as my brother and sister. I can remember sipping my dad’s beer at about 7 years old. I started to look for it at age 10, and by age 12, I was starting to drink regularly. By the time I was 14, I was into drugs and pornography, and it kept going downhill from there. I remember always talking about quitting drugs, but never having the power to do it. I did not believe in God nor did I care if He existed. At 19, the girl I was dating at the time (who was raised in a Christian home), gave her life to Christ. I told her to get lost, but she kept pressing me to look at Jesus. A couple guys I used to party with were going to her church and started to talk to me about the Lord too. They were all praying for me and God softened my heart and called me to Himself. Since then the Lord has been working on me, and he is still not done! In 1992 I met my wife Deanna, the Lord’s greatest gift to me. She was my biggest fan when I joined a Christian metal band and we toured around California together, growing in the Lord. That was a long time ago, and God has continued to do many miracles in my life since then. My mom and dad, as well as my brother and sister have accepted Christ. I married Deanna in 1995 and we have two awesome sons, Logan & Liam. In 1999, we moved to Oregon. God has used many things in my life to draw me closer to Him. I have been on two mission trips, to the Philippines and to New Orleans. I have been a children’s worship leader & teacher. Life has not always been easy, but Jesus never said it would be. I have fallen many times and He has always been there to pick me up! Matthew 11:12 has been a powerful verse for me, and the violence continues as I pray to do the Lords will; but one thing I know for sure, without Him I can do nothing, AMEN! And I now feel it on my heart to share the same message that I heard, “come on up, this may be your last chance to accept Christ.” I pray they will listen.

                           Dave’s Testimony