My experience in salvation occurred when I was around 9 years old. Being that I was a P.K. (Preacher’s Kid), I was in church every Sunday, Sunday night, Wednesday night and revivals during the summer. One day, during a church service, God made me realize that I was separated from him. I didn’t want to go to the front to seek God for salvation as I was and still tend to be very shy. Throughout that summer and fall, I knew that I was not saved. One night at a revival at the church that dad was pastoring, I went to seek God’s forgiveness of my sins. He didn’t save me, as I let things separate me from receiving his forgiveness and salvation. Several months went by and frustration built. One night, my mother came to my room to tuck me in. She asked to pray for me and asked if I wanted to pray. I told her that I did not but she could go ahead. After she started praying, I decided that it wouldn’t hurt to try again and ask God to forgive my sins. I never really heard a word that she said, but as soon as I bowed my head and ask God to forgive my sins and save my soul, he spoke to my heart and made me know that I was saved. I am not sure if it was a “burden” but it was definitely frustration that was lifted. All that it took was to have faith that he was going to save me and that is when it happened. I was baptized in frigid December of 1989. However, my Christian walk really began after high school, when I had to begin making choices and decisions on my own. The summer following my freshman year in college, God opened the door to allow me work at a summer Christian athletic camp in southern Missouri with other college students from around the nation. Although, the camp’s salvation beliefs weren’t exactly the same as my own, God molded me through the challenges of that summer. I worked with inner-city middle schoolers, teaching them about God’s love. God paved the way for me to be able to speak to the kids about Jesus through sports. I wasn’t there to promote or discredit any denomination, but just to allow God to use me. He tore me down and built me back up throughout the summer. I was able to share with the kids about God’s love and that only God can save them. That summer, as a counselor, was one of the most rewarding events of my life and truly changed my walk with God. Although, I continued to stumble and trip up along my journey, I often remember that summer and the way that God used me. Those lessons, experiences and rewards significantly contributed to my spiritual walk with God today.
However, my Christian walk really began after high school, when I had to begin making choices and decisions on my own. The summer following my freshman year in college, God opened the door to allow me work at a summer Christian athletic camp in southern Missouri with other college students from around the nation. Although, the camp’s salvation beliefs weren’t exactly the same as my own, God molded me through the challenges of that summer. I worked with inner-city middle schoolers, teaching them about God’s love. God paved the way for me to be able to speak to the kids about Jesus through sports. I wasn’t there to promote or discredit any denomination, but just to allow God to use me. He tore me down and built me back up throughout the summer. I was able to share with the kids about God’s love and that only God can save them. That summer, as a counselor, was one of the most rewarding events of my life and truly changed my walk with God. Although, I continued to stumble and trip up along my journey, I often remember that summer and the way that God used me. Those lessons, experiences and rewards significantly contributed to my spiritual walk with God today.
Justin Cofer