| Testimony
Hello, my name is Bill. I’m a retired police officer. I’ve been married to my wonderful wife Gayle since 1990. I liked and played sports like basketball and football. My youthful hobby was weight lifting. I’d like to complete a physical trainer course at some time in my life. I’m just an average person with appropriate interest or commitments . How about you? What are some of your interests? If you have a few minutes more can I share with you about how I realized I needed Christ in my life. Many people have had some types of challenges where they begin to realize that they need the loving unconditional help that only Jesus Christ can give. Maybe that’s true for you too?
I grew up in the Orchard Park Housing Projects in Roxbury Massachusetts. At age 15 my family moved to Dorchester, Massachusetts. I attended Catholic schools through to my high school years and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In school I had always been taught about the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, but it was never made clear that I could have a relationship with Jesus. In retrospect, the Catholic school experience was just filled with rituals, observing special days and praying to statues and saints. In my later years I began to follow others influences, subsequently making juvenile choices that brought hard times for me and my family. I realized I needed something more than street wisdom to guide my life. I had no peace in my life. My life was like a man trying to build a house on sand. I can remember having the thought that I should give Jesus a try. Like I was giving him a chance, but all along I was the one getting the chance to make the best decision of my life. I realized I needed Jesus (the Rescuer and Savior of the World).
I decided to follow Jesus of the bible and to function through discipleship, outreach and evangelism with my church family. That’s when I learned about Jesus calling people to repentance, and to receive God’s forgiveness, which I knew I needed. I read that Jesus gives all people an opportunity to repent (Matthew 4:17) and to follow his teachings in his upside down Kingdom of God on earth. I also received what I took as a personal invitation from Jesus written in scriptures. This scripture informed me that, by coming to Jesus and learning from him to participate with his work/mission, he would give me rest (Matthew 11:29-30). I accepted the invitation. Subsequently, my church community experience is where I have received authentic te