Favorite Books: testimony BACKGROUND I was raised a Catholic, by a mixed marriage couple. my mother, was formerly a Baptist who converted to marry my dad. We were taught, strictly the ten commandments and any foul words received a mouth washing. No smoking, nor drinking was the rule. My dad did smoke and drink much to my mother's dismay. Some how of all the siblings I saw the bad side of smoking and drinking and steered clear of it. My hero, for my early school years was Einstein, and I aspired to be one. So off to University I went, and entered the Physics program. Here alcohol found a door, through apple cider, which though seldom taken was there. Also my first rude awakening happened, I was no Einstein and math proved difficult at the university level. Smoking, drugs and women weren't part of me. During my first year at University, I meet a couple of people for Campus crusade for Christ. I said the sinner's prayer and received a New testament. I inquired where I should go to church, there was no direction given. I clearly remember, being in my dorm room and talking to God – saying "I know the catholic church is bad (because of her past persecutions), but all churches are ran by men and all have some evil. So how can I know which church to go to unless you show me God which is yours." So I stayed put, read the new testament through several times and went to church often.

Favorite Genres: THE TURN My brother Chris got introduced to the message in Germany while serving in the armed forces, and wanted to stay with me when transferred back. I had heard he had changed religions. My welcoming statements to him where "your welcome to stay here but I do not want to be converted" yet within me I said but I do want to hear what you believe. Oh I tested my brother when he said he was a Christian to see if he would argue. When ever he mentioned scriptures, something within me was grabbing hold of them, for I knew it was right. I would literally search the bible. He mentioned Brother Branham being a prophet – that I couldn't care about at that time – but does it line up with the scriptures. After two months, he asked me to read Acts 2:38. Once I did, it was as if a light shone on those words and the only thing I knew is that I had to do it. I was surprised in another way too, in that I had read the new testament three times over and never saw this. I was informed by my brother that some American brothers would baptize me. Well I waited, but on a caving trip where I was nearly killed, and have a scar on neck where a 600 LB boulder had grazed by – I knew I wasn't ready to meet my maker. I had to do something. With resolve, I found the phone numbers from my brother for a message church up in Edmonton – and made an appointment to get baptized. I told my Brother "I would be late". I took a change of clothes that Wednesday. It was a fight to get to the airport and catch the airbus to make a 7 PM appointment. A booked flight, but after a prayer said by a pillar "God you know my heart I just want to get this done". On the final seat count, two empty seats, me and another fellow got on (where I placed I don't know).. My first message church service and songs broke me up, and at the end of the service I got baptized.

Favorite Quotes: THE CHANGE OF HEART It was at the Tent meetings in Tri-Cities, that God started dealing with me. For the first service, that I made Brother Earl Martin used for an opening text PS.16:8. It was the first time something like this had happened to me. From that time on God dealt with me, not just from the pulpit but from various individuals in fellowship around the tent. This rough mountaineer was breaking down, getting depressed. My Brother Chris, said "don't look for miracles, don't look for a crutch to lean on", there went the miracles. He also said God spoke to him about me, my first thought was 'Yeah', but something checked me, and I thought I'll be the judge of that. ' what did he say Chris?' “your a sincere man”, I hit the ground sobbing for I remembered my promise of a summer Sundays was brought back. Brother Wilfred Friel had attracted my attention, to me he was a man of wisdom and I wanted to talk with him. Finally, on the nudging of a brother to talk with Bro. Friel, and a desire "not to go back the way I was". I walked into his trailer without knocking, permission, or politeness and sat down next to Gordon Block. I was on a mission. The conversation immediately had changed (as testified by Bro. Gordon Block) to having a "tie post such that nothing could shake you away from Christ" Here several events happened, the first - two bothers – one was asked how to people know your a Christian. He gave several examples that a Christian could be accused of and each time he did something said to me "that's not it". Later a sister entered in, politely and talked with Bro. Friel, than said "I don't want to go back the way I was". We broke down and cried, and prayer was said. She left to thank the Lord and shortly after that so did I.. That night after the meeting during a fellowship in a trailer next to the tent. Bro. Wilfred mention Bro. John Martin – I stated he was one of God's generals. Wilfred said "you don't speak lightly of God's people and get away with it you could get a blessing" I said "I will take one" , then something happened, my heart burned and from that time on I was a changed man. The next morning, the songs where life, the service was life, and the tapes (message) was life. I threw myself headlong into the message. Now give me the best mountain in the world and fellowship in the dirtiest city in the world on a Sunday, I will choose the fellowship.