David - United States Of America

Nickname: J&JsDad

Though growing up in a Christian home with a grandfather who was a pastor, I really didn't bother thinking about Christ. At approximately eight years old, my parents divorced. My mom got custody of the children, and we moved several states away. I became more introverted and wondered why my father didn't want to be with us. I was hurting inside.

During a high school weekend retreat, I heard a message about a God who would never leave me nor forsake me. I could count on Him. This information hit a nerve, and I accepted Christ. I call this acceptance an internal acceptance, acceptance for God to love me. I really didn't fathom however, how big God really is.

While I was in high school, I went on my first missions trip - I went not to "reach the world," but to help build a school. My view of God changed in college while studying for my photojournalism degree. My brother and I saw the Jesus film. That was the first time I really saw the context of Jesus...not just a God who loved me and would never leave me, but a God who came to the world, to all the world, offering salvation. With this view, I went on my second missions trip to the Philippines, ready to do whatever He wanted me to do, even if witnessing was outside the comfort zone of my introverted nature.

I've since progressed in my Christian walk, becoming active in the photo ministries of the churches I've attended and trying to use my gifts to God's glory.