I am a pastor, author, and podcaster currently living in Waterbury, Connecticut. My life's purpose in addition to sharing the good news about Jesus Christ is to help church leaders stay strong in their callings.

It was not always this way.

I grew up the third son of six children to a mom and dad who lived the American Dream. My father scratched his way up through poverty, marrying his childhood sweetheart and landing a job with an up-and-coming industry.

When I was born, we already lived in a nice suburb, while my father continued to climb the ladder of financial success. Outwardly, we appeared the picture of happiness, but turmoil brewed underneath the surface.

My oldest brother connected with the Woodstock generation of the 1960's as drugs and anti-establishment behavior erupted on televisions across the country. Arguments at the dinner table became commonplace.

My relationship with my parents, (particularly my dad) deteriorated into outright hatred. Though I never abused drugs or alcohol, he identified me as his most difficult child.

Because I looked older than my actual age (fifteen), I found acceptance among people years ahead of me. Partly due to their influence, I pursued eastern mysticism and the occult while immersing myself in Kung-Fu style karate.

Shortly after my seventeenth birthday, my oldest brother invited me to visit the West Coast of the U.S. where he attended college. He also told the family that he turned from a life of drug use and rebellion to become a Christian.

My parents went to church every week, so found it odd that he had become a Christian, but anything he did to improve his life was welcome news. As siblings, we thought he was a little weird.

I'm not sure why, but I took him up on his invitation and then found myself surrounded by people who were actually serious about God. I wanted nothing to do with them, but since they were both my source of food and transport, I stayed connected!

After a potluck supper at a church, my brother invited me to attend the service. Reluctantly, I agreed.

The preacher made little sense to me until he challenged everyone, to be honest with God. That night, I asked Christ, if He were real, to show himself to me.

In a split second, I knew He was real. The hate that dominated my thinking and personality vanished. From that day to this, I have served him with all my heart.

Podcast: http://www.ministerstoolbox.com

Church: http://mymotionchurch.com