It was 13 years ago that I learned the reality of a God who loved me and desired to have a one-on-one relationship with me. Prior to that I was a Sunday church-goer - but that didn't make a difference in my daily living during the week.

I had good moral values and was raised in a loving home, but I was quite focused on me and what would make me happy. Through reading my Bible and talking to other Christians, God showed me that His plan was for me to put my college-educated, career-minded goals aside for now and serve my children and husband full-time at home.

At first, I admit, I didn't concede to that idea too willingly, but as I was obedient, the Lord has richly blessed my home - and He has also given me the privilege of encouraging and listening to other women as they, too, struggle with and learn God's leading in their lives.

Recently my family moved from Arizona to PA, and having lived there all my life, it was a dramatic event to leave my security there. But God had prepared me to find my security in Him, and he has used a loving church community here as one of his gifts to me.

I sought after fun and fulfillment through music (I was a drummer), drugs and alcohol, chasing girls, and taking risks. Eventually, I found myself not remembering what happened the night before, and two times I was in car accidents where I could have been killed. After eight years it began to become clear that I wasn't running my life, I was ruining it.

I was asked to begin playing for a Contemporary Christian Band. At first I avoided the offer. I was uncomfortable with the "image" I thought I'd have to assume, but I eventually ran out of excuses, so I agreed. After "hanging out" with the people in the band, and getting involved in their Bible study, I found that they enjoyed their lives more with Jesus as Lord than I was without him. God changed my heart.

It was God's grace that allowed me to see how I was ruining my life and how he could fulfill it. Jesus is now my Savior and Lord. He has filled my life with a family, and a great church. I'm now playing on the worship team, not because it will give me heavenly status, but because of gratitude to God for what he's saved me from and what he's saved me for.

I am one of those people who considers himself lucky for being raised in a Christian home. Unfortunately, I didn't always use this to my advantage. I often looked at our going to church as that Sunday morning routine that kept my parents happy. Now I often thank God for parents and a church family that has always loved and supported me.

Since as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a leader - to take charge and make things happen (often my way). Whether on the pitcher's mound during my Little League years, or currently as the program director for a summer youth camp, I love to lead. But it wasn't until the past few years that I let the Lord use me for His glory instead of my own.

When I completely surrendered my ways to Christ, He placed me in leadership positions where He wants me. I am currently leading a worship team for CVC and I coach our church's softball team. Now that I am a husband and a father I see it's not just where I serve that is important, but how. God has showed me that being a leader is all about the good of others, no my personal gain or recognition. My greatest joy is in seeing others benefit from my faithfulness to God.