FriendlyChristian.com

1979-1995

Born in Detroit, Michigan. Raised into a Catholic family. I did my 1st communion, reconciliation, and was confirmed. I chose Dominic as my Confirmation name (after my grandfather). When I was 16 my mother was diagnosed with a severe case of depression. While my mother was receiving treatment, her sister brought her to church one Sunday. This church was one of those crazy hand-raising, holy-rolling, swingin’ from the chandeliers, Pentecostal churches: the Assemblies of God church. While at this service, my mother went up to be prayed over. She was immediately cured. Needless to say, my mother gave her life to Christ and began taking us to the AG church.

As a 16 year old traditional (if any) church member, making the transition from a Catholic church to an AG church was not easy. I love telling the story of coming home from church one Sunday afternoon, going over to a friend’s house and laughing at this “cult” that my mother was taking us to. We all laughed together. This was definitely not for me.

1995-1999

After 6 months or so of attending these cult gatherings each Sunday afternoon, one day during a routine alter call I made a decision: “I don’t want to go to hell, obviously. I’m not entirely sure I believe all this crazy AG stuff, but perchance this is the way to Heaven, I definitely don’t want to miss the bus. I’ll give my life to Christ.” I raised my hand, stood up and received my “clap offering.” I hate that expression. Some may argue that I wasn’t truly saved here because my heart wasn’t really in it. I don’t know how I feel about that. I’m also not worried about it.

God didn’t waste any time. He immediately began to work in my life by placing young “cool” Christians everywhere I’d go. My arch enemy Bob (we liked the same girl. For the record, she was all about her some Bill, not Bob - lol) was “coincidentally” sat next to me in a computer class we were taking. “Dude, you gotta hear this bass line,” Bob told me one day, handing me a copy of an old dc Talk CD. And so it began…

I kicked the tires of Christianity for the next few years. I dated a wonderful Christian girl and made wonderful Christian friends. I rocked out to some Newsboys, POD (I was an early fan which makes me cool), dc Talk, Supertones, Five Iron, etc. I attended a few conferences and went to a few prayer meetings. Then I went to college.

1999-2000

My college career at Central Michigan University was short-lived. I didn’t partake in the standard college party activities as much as you’d think. I never went to class on account of staying up too late every night. I HAD to be the last person awake in my dorm. I would leave my door cracked open a few inches just in case anybody wanted to hang out for a bit in the middle of the night. My record of poor class attendance quickly caught up to me as the college felt no remorse when they asked me to leave. Yep, I was kicked out of college. I made some incredible friends, though, that I’ll never forget.

2000-2005

One friend, in particular, had made the exact same mistakes as me the year prior. During my year at CMU, he and I became close friends and would hang out a lot whenever he’d come to school to visit some of his old friends from the year before. He had decided to join the Air Force, while nothing in Michigan seemed to be coming together for him. One day while hanging out, this friend needed to stop by the recruiter’s office to sign some papers. “I’ll be right back,” he said to me as he was walking out of his car towards the office. “I’ll join you,” I unexpectedly responded. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

The plane ride to boot camp was creepy. I had no idea what to expect, as I knew very little about the US military. I had decided to be a computer guy since that what my original collegiate goal was. I served 5 years in the US Air Force and separated as a Staff Sergeant. I spent 2 years in Okinawa, Japan and 3 years in Panama City, Florida. I know, rough life

Before leaving for boot camp, I remember one female friend telling me, “the military is nothing but porn and drinking.” Never addicted to either in past, I was quick to acknowledge how that would not apply to me.

It applied to me. I drank more than I can put into words. I was addicted to porn like you wouldn’t even believe. God was the last thing on my mind. My weekends were all about booze and girls - bottom line. I lived it up hardcore.

2005-2008

I separated from the Air Force in July of 2005. This was the first prayerful decision that I can remember making. I prayed like crazy: “God, do you really want me to separate?” I fasted. I could actually feel God drawing me closer…it was weird.

I ended up taking a job up here in Charleston, SC with Northrop Grumman as a computer guy. I moved in with a friend and had a big boy job - life was good!

After being severely burnt by a girl (poor decision making on my part), I had reached rock bottom. The drinking was out of control. The girl situation was insane. I was literally sick to my stomach every day. Read the whole story here. The truth is, it’s still a bit painful. I needed something new.

One morning, out of sheer desperation, I went into work and announced to my co-workers, “I need a church. Who can tell me where to go?” I can only imagine how funny this must have sounded, as nobody would have ever suspected me as a Christian. A friend, a party friend at that, spoke up. “I know of this church…they like, raise their hands and stuff…and I dunno if that’s what you’re looking for…but I used to go there…and I’d be willing to go with you.”

I’ll never forget the very first time I walked into Seacoast Church. “I’m home,” was the first sentence I spoke.

A few months later I submitted my life to Christ. I’ve been radically changed from the inside out. My life is nothing like it’s ever been before. I’m like a new person.

Jan 2008-PRES

I have left my full-time job to pursue a calling from God. I am now a full-time student at Charleston Southern University studying biology with the intent of becoming a PA. This site rocks!! Life is good…life is good.

My blessing/curse/burden is that I am as real about my faith/walk with Christ as I can be. I don’t hold anything back. I say the things that most Christians won’t even admit to, let alone say (but are thinking nonetheless). The is the central theme for this site.

I love you guys. Thank you for reading my story. This is my journey.

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