I believe that my life has been more like Samuel's than like the New Testament Saul's. Saul's conversion was a sudden and dramatic confrontation with the Lord. Samuel grew up in the worship place at Bethel. I grew up in church. My father and grandfather were elders. My uncle led the singing and my mother played the piano. I sang in a quartet and taught a Sunday School class at an early age. We attended morning and evening and Wednesday night too.

Growing up on the farm, I was much near God's nature. There were many quiet times and times of solitude while doing routine chores or driving the tractor in the field. These times lended themselves to worship and praise. I sang hymns on the tractor and found time to pray when by myself. I went to church camp one week a year and attended area youth rallies. I enjoy reading and read the Bible quite a lot.

The evil influences in my life came from my friends, our hired farm hands, and my own inclination toward mischief and sin. I managed to get into trouble sufficient number of times.

The direction of my life was changed when I drove a car of teens to a youth rally at Lincoln Christian College at Lincoln, Illinois. I was very impressed with the enthusiasm, the facility, and the worship that day. My preacher turned to me and asked, "Have you ever thought about being a preacher." Well, I really hadn't, but I signed a letter of intent to attend L.C.C. which started in a week and a half. I thought I might attend one year. I had questions and I felt that I could have them answered in that academic environment. I went to L.C.C. for eight years and began preaching during that time. I found a fine Christian girl at college and married her. We have four married children and seven grandchildren. I have been serving the Lord through preaching and ministering for better than forty years. Each day brings fresh surprises. The story of my ministry, as in all ministries, is not what Chuck has done, but what God's people, with His help have accomplished in their lives and in this world. God is Good!

Some observations:

1. We should prepare to serve God now, no matter what else is happening.
2. Be open to God redirecting your life differently than you might have planned originally and personally.
3. Be God's partner. When we are open and have a little preparedness, He may call us to minister in some way for Him.
4. Always thank God for the good and the Godly around you. Many people do not enjoy a Godly family and Godly influences that can touch your heart and train your mind.
5. Pray, work, trust, and hang on, because we know where God's leading will takes us—to heaven!