Grace and Peace,
I joined the Air Force in 1980 and after graduating number two in my
class, I was assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson Arizona. After
three years I was transferred to West Germany.
Friends one day invited me to church . . . though hesitant . . . yet
alone and hurting I accepted. They took me to Rheinland Baptist Church.
There I was too proud and full of myself to accept what was happening.
After nearly five weeks of faithful attendance God used my pride as my
downfall: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before
a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
It was through the preaching of Pastor Roy Grigsby that the Holy Spirit
of God got a hold of me. . . it was through his sermon series on the
Eagles. Shortly after receiving Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour I
began with battles in my life. God had placed several men (George
Rundle, Michael Teague and Michael Lancto) in my life to disciple me and
lead me.
Shortly after being baptized I moved into the Rheinland Serviceman’s
Center (where Michael Lancto was the Director). It was here that my
relationship with Michael Lancto began to grow. I despised Bro Lancto .
. . as a single man, an adult, educated and knowing how to live my life,
the last thing I wanted was someone telling me what to do. He constantly
rode me . . . constantly in my face with God this and God that . . .
that is not Christ like . . . I hated it. I hated being held accountable
for my actions or lack of them.
As one who was a believer in evolution it was difficult to receive and
believe the creation story. I remember having conversations, well
arguments, with Bro Lancto and Bro Rundle on this subject on several
occasions. Eventually I was persuaded to a point of theistic evolution.
But again the conversations continued . . . PTL I renounced those
heresies and have accepted the simple truth of the Scriptures.
God knew what I needed . . . as I started attending Bible College at
Rheinland and began to grow in the Lord . . . he backed down quite a
bit, or at least I thought he did . . . turned out that the truth is
that as I grew closer to God, I began conforming to His image. Now my
carnal self was growing and was able to receive with gladness the
teachings of the Scripture. I now realized I was maturing something I
never had before. Bro Lancto was consistent but the difference now was
what he was asking us was nothing more than what the Word of God
required of us. I was upset and mad because of my pride and arrogance
that I did not need anyone. It was there in Germany that God called me
to preach.
Upon returning to the United States I completed my Bible College
receiving my bachelors in Theology and eventually a masters. Upon
graduation I looked back at my life and saw the people that God had
placed in my path. I praise the Lord for those men who loved the Lord
and only wished to see the best for me. It took time to appreciate what
others did for me . . . I for one am truely thankful that Bro Lancto
never backed down. He was consistent in his witness, testimony and most
of all unconditional love. His ministry unto the Lord helped me with my
walk with the Lord. I also realized he was like a I am . . . a sinner
and not perfect. Only serving the Lord to the best of his ability.
After Rheinland and now looking back . . . I see many areas of my life
that has changed because of God. The emptiness is gone. I believe the
greatest lesson learned aside from trusting the Lord has been learning
to forgive myself so I can forgive others. I know I have never been a
kind person . . . ungrateful to many. But I have learned to forgive
others and realize that life is too short to hold grudges . . . it is
not Christ-like. My brother and I have reconciled and now are closer
than ever.
The journey God has had for me has always been small steps at a time . .
. as I grow . . . he has enabled me more. Today, I serve Him in several
ways . . . I am by the Grace of God his servant serving as the Pastor of
a small rural church here in California these past 12 years. God has
also used me to serve Him through a Martial Arts Ministry over the years
. . . having seen many added to the church, many coming to Christ, many
into discipleship programs. We also have started a Spanish ministry
which is still in its infancy, so please pray, as well as having been in
several countries on short term missions trip, the most notable being to
Spain several weeks right after 9-11. This was a blessing seeing part of
my family travel nearly nine hours to hear me preach and giving me the
privilege of sharing the Gospel with them.
The greatest joy is knowing that both of my parents are now with the
Lord because of seeds planted in me at Rheinland Baptist Church so many
years ago. The church, but especially more these three brothers, have
been a major part of who I am today and I praise the Lord for them.
Because of Calvary
Miguel Jurna, Pastor
First Baptist Church
P.O. Box 578
Olivehurst, CA 95961
Phone: (503) 743-1831
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