"I grew up attending a Baptist church, and after being denied the opportunity to give my heart to Christ at the age of 8, church attendance became sporadic, at best. At the age of 23, I finally was baptized in the church, but still had not really given my heart to God. For the next two weeks, I played the part of the good Christian, but the seeds had really just been thrown on rocky ground. From that point on, instead of looking to pursue Christ in depth, I chose to pursue music in depth, thus ending up playing rock and roll and living a vacuous lifestyle. I moved from relationship to relationship, searching for something, but not knowing what. I was trying to fill the void in my soul that couldn’t be filled by anything earthly or material. Playing music was as close I could get to a spiritual experience, but even that was lacking.

Giving up on the Monterey Bay music scene, I moved to Beaverton, Oregon where I promptly fell into more of the same lifestyle. After a year and a half, things hit rock bottom. My relationship fell apart, music stopped, and I spent a lot of time attempting to escape through pot and alcohol. And that was getting me nowhere except farther away from God.

About this time, I called my friend Steve Novak in Monterey and told him my life was falling apart. Appealing to the musician in me, Steve suggested a Christian music station, K-LOVE, and gave me their toll-free number so I could get the local affiliate in the Portland area. After an hour of deliberation, I called the number and got the local station information. As I ended the call, without even thinking, I said to the operator, “God bless you.” She in turn responded with “God bless you.” Before I could even hang up the phone, tears were rolling down my face and as soon as I hung up the phone, I was down on my knees crying my eyes out, telling God to take it all because I couldn’t do it anymore on my own. Thank you, Steve (and family).

The void has finally been filled. Now when the emptiness comes, He fills me. I have a peace that I never had before. I’m no longer searching for, or reaching for, worldly things to make me happy or justify me or my existence. This time around, the seeds have been thrown on fertile soil, having been rooted deeply in Christ. Not only that, but this time around the seeds are producing much fruit in my life. Now, when I’m playing music, it IS a spiritual experience, playing to my audience of One. God has blessed me in so many ways, one of which was leading me to New Song. I’ve been blessed with great fellowship, great friendships, and an even greater relationship with God the Father. And for some reason, God has seen fit to keep me and Steve in the same geographic region. When Steve moves, God ends up moving me to the same town. Three moves in ten years. It’s a God thing, Steve. I think you’re stuck with me, buddy. Praise God!"