I gave my life to Jesus when I was about seven years old. I was taught about Jesus by my mom and her mom for as long as I can remember, and I knew there was something missing from my life. From that point, and even before, whenever the doors of the church were open, I was there, along with my parents and my two brothers.

I have never questioned the sovereignty of God or what Jesus did for me on the cross. As I got older, I went about living my life the way I wanted to, without much regard for how I was raised. I still attended church and even served as the choir director and as a decan as a young adult. In short, I was living a double life- my life during the week and my “church life” on Sundays.

Looking back now, I realize that I had placed my children as idols in my life. I loved them more than anything or anyone else- including God. God used the dissolution of my first marriage to teach me a powerful lesson about placing idols- any idols- before Him. I placed God back on the throne of my life and have followed Him first and foremost since that time. He has grown me and allowed me the opportunity to be the man He created me to be.

Casey and I have been married for almost 14 years, and now I have two grown children and a beautiful granddaughter. For the past two years, I have been blessed to serve Awaken Church as one of the lay elders. I spend time alone with God each morning in prayer and scripture. God is the giver of every good gift that I have and the reason I am still alive today.

I love my family at Awaken, and I am honored to serve each and every partner. If allowed to continue, I will serve as long as I am physically able. All I have, I offer to the Father.

In His Name,

Craig Collier