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A Testimony of being raised in Church.
There was some thing else we did that shaped my life and influenced me above all else. That was my families involvement in Church.
You see my mom and dad were not just Church members they were involved in Church. Dad was a song leader, Church treasurer, and Sunday School teacher. My mom played the piano, and taught Sunday School as well.
Every Sunday morning we would get up at 8 and have doughnuts dunked in coffee. Then we would get ready for Church. In my early years my mom and another lady would alternate teaching my classes. Then when I got to be a teenager dad taught my class. I can remember over and over again dad going over the Scriptures and teaching them to the best of his ability. I can't tell you everything that I was taught in those classes but, I can tell you I learned to sit still, respect the teacher and I learned some Bible along the way.
After Sunday School we would dismiss and go upstairs for morning worship. I can remember singing Amazing Grace, At Calvary, When I see the Blood, Come and Dine and many more of the hymns of the faith. Then after the singing and announcements we would have the preaching of God's Word. These men of God made a profound impact on my life. These men influenced me the most by preaching God's Word to me and living a life of consecrated service to our Lord and Saviour.
After Morning worship we would go home and eat supper with the family before my brother moved out on his own, the four of us along with "Mother Aker" (my mom's mom) would eat lunch and after that we would either go to a family members house, ride my motorcycle in our back field or go fishing. After our afternoon activities we would get ready to go to evening services at Church. Where we would again hear the preaching of God's Word.
On Wed nights it was the same thing. Get home from school, eat supper, get ready and go to Church. Where we would hear more preaching of God's Word. This is where I want to interject some personal thoughts....As a young boy I knew instinctively where we would be on Sunday morning and night as well as Wednesday nights and revival services. I was never given the option of missing Church. It did not matter if it was a ballgame, practice or homework (which I rarely did anyway:-)I was always to be at Church. My football coaches knew I would leave on Wed nights for Church because if they did not I would not be allowed to play.
My parents always told me if I was too sick to go Church then I was too sick to play, or go to a ballgame. Some people would think this is abusive, no it was not abusive. In fact it was the best thing that could have been done for me. I shudder to think what my life would have been like if I had been raised in a home where service to God had not been shown in word and deed to me.
Please do not think my parents were or are perfect because I can assure you they are not. However, if my parents never did anything else right by me they at least were right in taking my brother and I to Church.
So how has this influenced my life? First of all I heard the gospel of Christ in Church over and over again and God used the gospel in saving me.
Second, I learned great Biblical doctrines that have influenced my life. Third, I learned to sacrificially give of my time and money by going to God's house and learned that not everything is about me. Fourth, I am now called of God to Pastor. Fifth, I am married to a wonderful woman that I met in Church and have a handsome son as a result of this union.
So let me close by saying this, there will be times that your children will fight and fuss with you but, keep doing right because God will bless your efforts. My parents kept doing it and I for one am thankful they did.
Pastor Troy McGahan