Spiritual Markers

My family and I spent Thanksgiving with my mother in Columbia, SC. It was only my second visit to her new home in West Columbia. My prior visit was for my younger brother’s funeral in September 2005. On this visit, I realized the significance of where my mother’s home was located. A quarter of a mile away stands a church building where significant spiritual moments occurred in my life.

This building once housed a small Baptist congregation that had a major impact on my life as a new Christian. Consider these spiritual markers in my life that took place in this building.

Fall 1984 – a small group of Christians begin praying for young freshman engineering student from the University of South Carolina. They began to pray for my salvation even though they had never met me.

October 1985 – I was baptized in a make-shift baptismal tank. It was made of plywood and plastic and was located behind the building. It was a cool October morning when I was baptized.

Winter 1985-86 – I sensed the Spirit of God beginning to call me to the gospel ministry. It occurred during a morning worship service.

Spring 1989 – Preached my first sermon here during an adult Sunday school class. The text was 1 Corinthians 12:7-10.

July 1993 – The church ordained me to the gospel ministry and formally sets Lori and me apart to serve the Lord.

Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.  1 Timothy 4:14-15 ( NKJV )