I grew up like many I know, in a fatherless home (the full impact of which I’ll never know). Yet I’m grateful for a loving mother who did absolutely all she could for my younger brother and me. My mother died in 1989 battling cancer (I look forward to our heavenly reunion).
Not having regular interaction with a father I believe left me without a clear sense of direction. Fortunately, during my ninth-grade year in school, an English teacher took interest in me by asking if I was going to audition for the school play. I auditioned and won the role of the “fly eater” in a Dracula production. Through this concerned teacher, I found my niche and determined then and there that I was going to be a professional actor.
Now having a clear direction, I decided to study acting in New York City, the world's theatre capital. Only one small problem, where was I going to get the money? I then decided to join the Army in order to take advantage of their educational benefits. I was fortunate to get stationed in Monterey, California where I had the great chance to perform a lot.
Not only was my talent being developed, but I discovered that something else was developing in my life, my anger. I didn’t realize it, but I had a bucket load of unresolved hostility developed in my childhood. The theatre gave me an outlet for my anger, but could not cure it. I can recall my anger nearly causing me to get dishonorably discharged from the service. Fortunately, I was able to “act” my way through the rest of my tour of duty and leave with a clean record
(Whew!!!).
Back at home (Akron), I found myself disoriented and feeling incredibly empty and of course, angry. Sitting at my Mother’s kitchen table late one evening, staring blankly at the Television, I found myself unconsciously watching a religious program called the, “700 Club”. The program grabbed my attention as it showcased people whose lives were changed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus was not new to me having grown up in the Baptist Church. But this night I heard with new ears how through personal trust in Christ a person’s life could go from bad to good, from frustration to peace, I wanted to hear more.
Soon the host appeared and said that those of us listening at home could have a personal, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. The host clearly let us know that, "All HAVE SINNED" and that the wages of sin would result in a Christ-less eternity. The host offered to pray with those interested and at THAT moment, I prayed and received Christ as my Lord and Savior. Not long after that, I was publically immersed in the waters of baptism.
Jesus changed my life. I can remember my mother telling me, “…Son your life has really changed”. I could see clearer now than I ever could in my entire life. I was determined more than ever to go to New York City and study acting, but now I would study to influence many for Christ. In fact, I wanted to start a group called, “Actors for Jesus”. I got involved with a solid local church that taught me God’s word. Through good pastoral counseling, I was led to consider going down another path namely ministry. In 1985, I went on a summer-long missions trip with Operation Mobilization. I spent the summer evangelizing Muslims in Scotland and England. It was during this summer that I acknowledged my, “call to preach”. Upon my return home, I later enrolled at the historic Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where I received an outstanding biblical education.
Since my college days, I have by God’s grace served in a variety of ministry and non-ministry settings. In 1992 I married who I believed was my life partner, but unfortunately, our marriage ended after several years. We were blessed with 6 beautiful children who I regularly pray will experience Christ in ways that I have never known. In 2017 I met the love of my life and we married in 2018. I currently serve the Lord as a Chaplain for Senior Community Care of North Carolina. My heartbeat has been and still is to serve the local church as a Pastor/teacher.
One of my heroes in the Christian faith is the famed martyred missionary, Jim Elliot. He is credited with a saying that I wholeheartedly subscribe to: "He is no fool who gives what he can’t keep, to gain what he can’t lose”.
In His Grip,
Rev. Todd
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