aaron

I was born in Tucson, into an unstable marriage. My father left my pregnant mother and me when I was only one. My mother was severely depressed and she did not eat right. As a result, my sister was born with a severe form of Autism. My mother, due to the depression, had become emotionally unstable and unable to support the family, at which time, my grandmother took over as the "parent" for the three of us.

Despite all of this, I managed to receive the love and attention of a family that was dedicated to Christ, and we attended a small Southern Baptist church with a congregation of about 200. My grandmother and mother were both devoted believers and they explainedGod's love to me throughout my life. As a teenager I had been going througha terrible time of depression when a youth pastor helped me realize and understand my need for Jesus. He helped me understnad my sinfulness and my need for the Savior, and I accepted Jesus as my Savior.

When I finished highschool I took on several leadership roles in the church such as sunday school teacher, camp counselor and volunteer for the Pasquel Mission with director Ross Hannah. During this time a good friend, who I asked to marry me, felt God calling us into full-time ministry and we felt Him calling us into that ministry together. When Lizzie graduated from highschool, we then moved to Phoenix to continue our education at Arizona Bible College,. However after two years ABC closed its doors and we were transferred to Southwestern Bible College. While in Phoenix we attended a large church of about 1500, where we participated in the choir, and where I was employed as part of the maintenancecrew. I also worked full-time as security at a local hotel.

I have managed to to have an extensive background in security since I was 18 and working for Pinkerton Security. It was when I was working for this company, that I happened to be reunited with my father. My relationship with him has improved since then and we have seen how God has helped our relationship by helping me forgive him.

I have learned much since I came to college and I believe that I am ready to prepare for a full-time position as a pastor. My wife and I also have ambitions to become missionaries someday. My wife has been studying the Vietnamese language and cultures and we hope to maybe one day adopt from Vietnam. I want to serve the Lord with an open mind and a willing heart to follow wherever He leads.

It was difficult to leave Tucson to go to college, and it was difficult to leave Phoenix, where we have developed several relationships. However I feel God has not yet tied us down to a particular place, and we feel driven towards seminary life at Golden Gate Seminary. Our home church in Tucson is in full support of sending us, and they are excited as much as we are about this change in our lives. Since arriving at the seminary, God has blessed us with twin boys who are the joy of my life. In becoming a father I have learned a great deal about God's amazing love in that He would give us His son to die so that we might live.