I want to use this page to tell a little about myself, my wonderful family and the ministry God has privileged me to be a part of.
I was born and raised in Western Montana.
Where was I before Christ?
My father died when I was 11, it devastated me.
I rebelled, putting my poor mother through allot of misery.
I did what I wanted to do, with whomever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to.
I used alcohol and other things to escape.
My main goal in my earlier life was to, "run," from my problems, but I quickly found out, you can't.
I was born and raised in Western Montana.
Where was I before Christ?
My father died when I was 11, it devastated me.
I rebelled, putting my poor mother through allot of misery.
I did what I wanted to do, with whomever I wanted to, whenever I wanted to.
I used alcohol and other things to escape.
My main goal in my earlier life was to, "run," from my problems, but I quickly found out, you can't.
In 1983 I left home and went into the Air Force, where I spent the next 6 years.
In March 1986 at New Testament Baptist Church , Kenny Hill, England, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. On March 30th,
1986 I was Baptized. I recall God speaking to my heart and saying, "Someday you will be a preacher." At this point of my
life, I was a mess. The greatest obstacle that I had to be freed from was alcohol. And my answer to God was, (Oh, no I
won't.) God knew His plans for me, and He worked on me for the next 7 years. He removed the alcohol, and other sin and
has continued to work in my life on a daily basis.
I began studying the Word of God through Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia.
In March 1986 at New Testament Baptist Church , Kenny Hill, England, I gave my life to Jesus Christ. On March 30th,
1986 I was Baptized. I recall God speaking to my heart and saying, "Someday you will be a preacher." At this point of my
life, I was a mess. The greatest obstacle that I had to be freed from was alcohol. And my answer to God was, (Oh, no I
won't.) God knew His plans for me, and He worked on me for the next 7 years. He removed the alcohol, and other sin and
has continued to work in my life on a daily basis.
I began studying the Word of God through Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia.
I left the Air Force in 1989. After leaving the Air Force, I met my future wife in Rapid City, SD, we were married in Oct 89.
In Nov 89, we moved to Billings, MT.
In Jan 90 we found out that our 1st child was on his way. This was a major turning point in my life, especially my spiritual life. It was a time when we
determined that we needed to get serious about our Christian walk.
I remember thinking that if I wanted my child to know Jesus as His Savior, the chances would be greatly increased if we got serious, so we began to
pray and look for a church. God lead us to Emmanuel Baptist Church, in Billings MT. We got involved in many different areas, choir, children's
ministries, outreach, etc... We were and still are, open to doing whatever the Lord wanted us to do. It was during this time that I again began to
hear the call of God on my life about entering the Gospel Ministry.
We moved from Billings in 1992 and moved to Sturgis, SD, where we immediately joined and became active at the First Baptist Church of Sturgis,
SD.
In Nov 89, we moved to Billings, MT.
In Jan 90 we found out that our 1st child was on his way. This was a major turning point in my life, especially my spiritual life. It was a time when we
determined that we needed to get serious about our Christian walk.
I remember thinking that if I wanted my child to know Jesus as His Savior, the chances would be greatly increased if we got serious, so we began to
pray and look for a church. God lead us to Emmanuel Baptist Church, in Billings MT. We got involved in many different areas, choir, children's
ministries, outreach, etc... We were and still are, open to doing whatever the Lord wanted us to do. It was during this time that I again began to
hear the call of God on my life about entering the Gospel Ministry.
We moved from Billings in 1992 and moved to Sturgis, SD, where we immediately joined and became active at the First Baptist Church of Sturgis,
SD.
We were able to get involved in many different areas of ministry, as the church searched for a new pastor.
In Aug 1992 our 2nd son was born. He was born with a form of anemia that presented a number of challenges to us. These health issues challenged
our faith but also strengthen our trust in the Lord, He never let us down.
It was in early 1994 that I accepted God's call on my life to go into the ministry.
First Baptist Church of Sturgis, SD licensed me to preach on the 23rd of Jan 1994.
I began to fill in as supply preacher at various churches.
In Nov 1994, Emmanuel Baptist Church of Belle Fourche, SD., asked me if I would like to become their pastor. I told them that I needed to pray
and seek God;s will on the matter.
In Dec 1994, our 3rd son was born. He was also born with the same form of anemia that his brother was. For the next 7 years or so, our family
vacations consisted of an annual trip to Mayo clinic in Rochester Minn.
In Aug 1992 our 2nd son was born. He was born with a form of anemia that presented a number of challenges to us. These health issues challenged
our faith but also strengthen our trust in the Lord, He never let us down.
It was in early 1994 that I accepted God's call on my life to go into the ministry.
First Baptist Church of Sturgis, SD licensed me to preach on the 23rd of Jan 1994.
I began to fill in as supply preacher at various churches.
In Nov 1994, Emmanuel Baptist Church of Belle Fourche, SD., asked me if I would like to become their pastor. I told them that I needed to pray
and seek God;s will on the matter.
In Dec 1994, our 3rd son was born. He was also born with the same form of anemia that his brother was. For the next 7 years or so, our family
vacations consisted of an annual trip to Mayo clinic in Rochester Minn.
In Jan 1995, we accepted the call to Emmanuel Baptist Church in Belle Fourche, SD. When we joined the church in Jan 1995, we doubled its
membership.
I have worked as a bi-vocational minister since then. (Bi-vocational means that I have a secular job, to help pay the bills.)
On May 6th 1995 in a joint ceremony, Emmanuel Baptist Church of Belle Fourche, SD and First Baptist Church of Sturgis, SD Ordained me to the
Gospel Ministry.
In the summer of 1996, a good minister friend of ours, who was serving in Alzada, MT went on vacation.
While on vacation he had a heart attack. The doctors told him that he would not be able to stay in MT, because of the harsh winters. Bro. John
asked me if I would keep an eye on the church (Rangeland Ministries) until they found another pastor. I told him I would. Not long afterwards they
Rangeland Ministries asked if I would pastor them and shortly afterwards I accepted.
membership.
I have worked as a bi-vocational minister since then. (Bi-vocational means that I have a secular job, to help pay the bills.)
On May 6th 1995 in a joint ceremony, Emmanuel Baptist Church of Belle Fourche, SD and First Baptist Church of Sturgis, SD Ordained me to the
Gospel Ministry.
In the summer of 1996, a good minister friend of ours, who was serving in Alzada, MT went on vacation.
While on vacation he had a heart attack. The doctors told him that he would not be able to stay in MT, because of the harsh winters. Bro. John
asked me if I would keep an eye on the church (Rangeland Ministries) until they found another pastor. I told him I would. Not long afterwards they
Rangeland Ministries asked if I would pastor them and shortly afterwards I accepted.
The Ministry has had its ups and downs, like most of life.
It has been hard working a secular job in Sturgis and building a ministry in Belle Fourche, which is 30 miles away.
At times it seems that we take one step forward and two steps back in the ministry.
I can see and believe that the Lord can and will do great things in my life, the life of my family and in the lives of the people at Emmanuel Baptist
and Rangeland Ministries and in the communities of Belle Fourche and Alzada.
God has blessed me with a wonderful family.
My wife is a blessing. She has done a great job building our home, teaching and raising our children.
She has also sacrificed allot in taking care of my mother who came to live with us in Oct 2006.
All of my children made professions of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ early in their lives and are willing to serve Him.
Our oldest son, is left for college in Sept 2008. He will pursue a degree in Theology & Pastoral Ministries and a minor in music. I will miss having
him work along side of me as music leader in Belle Fourche and Alzada.
All three are growing into fine young Christian men. All three are active in Church and Boy Scouts T252.
Our oldest put on Eagle Scout in Sept 2007. Our middle son will reach Eagle early next year 2009, it will be a couple years for the youngest. We
are very proud of each of them.
It has been hard working a secular job in Sturgis and building a ministry in Belle Fourche, which is 30 miles away.
At times it seems that we take one step forward and two steps back in the ministry.
I can see and believe that the Lord can and will do great things in my life, the life of my family and in the lives of the people at Emmanuel Baptist
and Rangeland Ministries and in the communities of Belle Fourche and Alzada.
God has blessed me with a wonderful family.
My wife is a blessing. She has done a great job building our home, teaching and raising our children.
She has also sacrificed allot in taking care of my mother who came to live with us in Oct 2006.
All of my children made professions of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ early in their lives and are willing to serve Him.
Our oldest son, is left for college in Sept 2008. He will pursue a degree in Theology & Pastoral Ministries and a minor in music. I will miss having
him work along side of me as music leader in Belle Fourche and Alzada.
All three are growing into fine young Christian men. All three are active in Church and Boy Scouts T252.
Our oldest put on Eagle Scout in Sept 2007. Our middle son will reach Eagle early next year 2009, it will be a couple years for the youngest. We
are very proud of each of them.
I find great pleasure in preaching and teaching the Word of God, introducing people to Christ and ministering to people in Jesus Name.
My hearts desire is to continue to do the Lord's work in the Belle Fourche, Alzada and Black Hill's area.
If you are reading this and do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior,
or are unsure please click on the above link, {Know Jesus}.
If you would like to know how you can invest in our ministry, please click on the {Support} link above.
May God's Blessings be upon you and your family,
Pastor Andy
My hearts desire is to continue to do the Lord's work in the Belle Fourche, Alzada and Black Hill's area.
If you are reading this and do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior,
or are unsure please click on the above link, {Know Jesus}.
If you would like to know how you can invest in our ministry, please click on the {Support} link above.
May God's Blessings be upon you and your family,
Pastor Andy
© Emmanuel Baptist Church Belle Fourche, SD 2008
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| Jesus is Lord |
| Emmanuel Baptist Church 902 Lawrence St. Belle Fourche, SD 57717 210-1492 |
