I wish I could say I was faithful to that call. Instead, I went to Niagara University and studied business, graduating with a Bachelors in Business Management degree. From there, I sold vacuum cleaners for a while (the economy wasn't too good in the early 1980's, either), then to a woman's shoe store, then to purchasing a Montgomery Ward Catalog Store in Brooksville, FL.
Not only was I not faithful to God's call, I actually drifted away from the church for nearly ten years. When we got involved again, we got involved big time. I was a deacon, and even a Treasurer for a year. Then we felt a need to move from Florida back to New York State, to the suburbs of Buffalo. At this time, I was in the insurance business, having worked as an agent for nearly ten years. From there, I had an opportunity to move into the company side of the insurance industry, and worked for several years as a Claims Manager for a local company.
But as I was getting more and more comfortable in my career, God was beginning to nudge me. The nudges were getting more and more frequent, until I finally spoke to my pastor about them. That set into motion seminary, a bi-vocational pastorate, and three years of intense work and study that was only possible with God's incredible grace. Then came ordination, eleven years of full-time ministry at Almond Union of Churches, and a full-blown confidence that I have no idea what I'm doing, but that God will work in me when I am submitted and close to Him. And God knows exactly what He's doing!
I have now moved to Waverly First Baptist Church, a great church, filled with great people. And I'm still learning a lot. Mostly about how much I still have to learn. I've been married for over 30 years to my best friend, Sandy. We also have two great kids in their twenty's. You can imagine how much I'm learning!
As I learn, I'll share with you some of what it means to be a part of the body of Christ in the 21st century.
