From Ken Light
09/07/06 21:44 Filed in: Messages From
Alumni
I became a Christian
out of the counter culture in 73. Unfortunately,
churches did not know how to deal with us types. By
mid 1976 I decided that this Christianity had better
have some answers for living or I would chuck it.
Having seen DTI have a positive influence in the
lives of friends, I went.
I told God that I either wanted to get right or quit. So I went to AFTI, perhaps one of the first in Lindale. I met guys like Calvin Simms and Rick Whitcomb. The impact on my life was dramatic, I got right and learned a lot of things about living the Christian life. I worked with some good people, Walt Jay, Woody Shoemaker, Jim Kuiper, Steph Osborne. I was sold out to the vision.
In 79 myself, James Watt and Kevin Chatwyn went to South America to learn how to learn languages. The plan was that we were to use it to equip the ministry for world expansion.
I had hard times with a few people in the ministry, some were needlessly rough, but often I used to take it back to God and ask Him about it. I finally left AF on good terms and it was to get some training, with a thought of returning. I got a good letter from Tony.
Yes, some of the leaders were jerks and were unduly harsh. Years later I realised they were mostly living what was modeled to them. Instead of getting bitter, I usually went back to God. He would (and still does) straighten me out.
Adding it all up years later, the experience was overwhelmingly good for me.
After AF I went back and finished high school and then got a University degree. My life really was turned around. And the reason for that was actually some of you here on the list who became my family and loved me. The teaching helped me a lot, but it was more team leaders. Richard Slimbach taught me to get serious, Dave Miner taught me to loosen up. Steph Osborne showed me you could be an AFer and think. John Brinkerhoff showed me sincerity and understanding. Woody showed me how to work.
I think the real thing I got out of AF was wanting to fall head over heels in love with God and wanting to be part of his kingdom.
The one hard thing since I have left is that it has been difficult to find a place where there are others who want to pursue God in a diligent way. We have found such a community now, it only took 20 some odd years.
I feel like God was stirring in our hearts and minds, and often wonder if he is stirring in the next generation. I don't see much from where I sit.
Ken AF 77-79
I told God that I either wanted to get right or quit. So I went to AFTI, perhaps one of the first in Lindale. I met guys like Calvin Simms and Rick Whitcomb. The impact on my life was dramatic, I got right and learned a lot of things about living the Christian life. I worked with some good people, Walt Jay, Woody Shoemaker, Jim Kuiper, Steph Osborne. I was sold out to the vision.
In 79 myself, James Watt and Kevin Chatwyn went to South America to learn how to learn languages. The plan was that we were to use it to equip the ministry for world expansion.
I had hard times with a few people in the ministry, some were needlessly rough, but often I used to take it back to God and ask Him about it. I finally left AF on good terms and it was to get some training, with a thought of returning. I got a good letter from Tony.
Yes, some of the leaders were jerks and were unduly harsh. Years later I realised they were mostly living what was modeled to them. Instead of getting bitter, I usually went back to God. He would (and still does) straighten me out.
Adding it all up years later, the experience was overwhelmingly good for me.
After AF I went back and finished high school and then got a University degree. My life really was turned around. And the reason for that was actually some of you here on the list who became my family and loved me. The teaching helped me a lot, but it was more team leaders. Richard Slimbach taught me to get serious, Dave Miner taught me to loosen up. Steph Osborne showed me you could be an AFer and think. John Brinkerhoff showed me sincerity and understanding. Woody showed me how to work.
I think the real thing I got out of AF was wanting to fall head over heels in love with God and wanting to be part of his kingdom.
The one hard thing since I have left is that it has been difficult to find a place where there are others who want to pursue God in a diligent way. We have found such a community now, it only took 20 some odd years.
I feel like God was stirring in our hearts and minds, and often wonder if he is stirring in the next generation. I don't see much from where I sit.
Ken AF 77-79