My Story

MY STORY

Part 4: "Growing in service"

Soon after receiving Jesus Christ as my Savior, I wrote home asking for the Bible my parents had given me on my tenth birthday. I was hungry for the whole word of God, and not just the chocolate chip cookies my mom sent with it.

In a couple months I would be leaving the Army. The chaplain recommended a good church not too far from my hometown, The Church of the Open Door in downtown Los Angeles, pastored by J.Vernon McGee where I might get established in the word and fellowship. McGee was no longer there when I arrived in 1971.

The following year I was baptized as a testimony and joined the church membership. I returned home long enough to get a job and apartment. My father was rather indignant towards the Bible and did not want to hear it from me nor that I should share with anyone else, including my grandfather (a 33rd degree Mason). Nevertheless the Lord gave opportunities to share the gospel in part the best I could.

As time passed they did consent to come to a couple special musical programs put on at the Church of the Open Door so I know they heard the gospel, yet their hearts remained closed to the beauty of the Lord. I tried again to witness by letter before my dad died in 1992 of a stroke and in 2003 when my mom passed away.

When my car engine blew-up, I moved from El Monte to the Rainbow Hotel that was part of the church structure (formerly known as Biola Hotel). I didn’t even have to leave the building to get to church. It did take me though, one and a half hours to get to work by bus every day. At church I was also involved in the visitation program and Awana clubs for youth. I couldn’t think of a more joyful and fulfilling place to be than at the church among God's people.

In 1973, I was president of the Christian Endeavor Fellowship singles group called Koinonia (which means, fellowship). I was also the Lookout and Social Chairman, when I met Betty Jeanne Holt who was to become my wife in 1974.

During the early part of our marriage I was still working in a bronze sculpture foundry in El Monte and became more serious as to how I might use my life for the Lord. I used my GI Bill to get training in commercial art at the Los Angeles Trade Technical College. During that time I had various part-time jobs. I was a taxi cab driver in San Gabriel Valley. I worked as a textile designer in a large screen printing plant. I worked for the John D. Roach Advertising Co. on 4th Street, downtown Los Angeles.

Each year the Church of the Open Door hosted a prophetic conference and their annual missions conference. The importance of one fueled the other, and my heart burned within. Knowing that Jesus Christ could return at any moment called for commitment in the present to be used by the Lord anywhere and that included the possibility of the mission field as well.

Having raise my hand and gone forward as many others did on previous invitations, somehow there was either inadequate follow-up or follow through on my part. I decided this time not to go forward, rather I went backwards, over to where the missions chairman, Sidney Best, was seated and requested his help. We search the directory profiles of supported missions, but could not find any specific need for graphic artist.

A few months later the Church of the Open Door helped send a group of us to the 1976 Urbana Missions Conference in Illinois. Many missions represented there, but needing art directors with 15 years experience not “greenhorns” as one put it.

Then I came across Missionary TECH Team, a service mission that like-minded Christian organizations turn to for technical assistance and know-how.

They help with architectural designing, drafting, engineering and construction supervision. And they have a graphics division that needs artists, photographers and writers to help with literature design and production. Hundreds of missions both home and foreign have been helped by this nonprofit, faith supported ministry. You can visit their web site at www.techteam.org.

We were accepted by Missionary TECH Team in Longview, Texas, February 1977, and commissioned and sent forth by the Church of the Open Door, October 1978. We continue to serve from TECH's home base in Longview.

Continued Next Page… "On a mission"

There are five parts to this story:

The Best Good News I've Ever Heard