The following was published in Timothy Network’s August 2009 e-letter. It is Chris Brown’s written testimonial of his personal journey to Christ and his ongoing quest to be a devout disciple.
Transitioning from an active duty U.S. Marine to civilian life was a challenge I failed miserably. There is a camaraderie experienced in the military not often found anywhere else. I sought to replace those lost relationships with new ones built at work and in bars. I wasn’t an alcoholic, but I reached a point where I didn’t know when to stop drinking. My view on religion was “There is a God; I’m not him.” At the same time I knew there was a greater being out there; science couldn’t explain everything.
I woke up one afternoon with another hangover and decided “again” that I wasn’t doing that to myself anymore. I quit drinking then and there, January 13, 2007. At that point I realized how shallow my relationships were with people. Once my “friends” knew that I really wasn’t drinking anymore, they stopped calling. That was a tough reality check, and I could have easily gone back to that life. Instead, after a month or so, I decided to look at the local churches. I don’t know why I chose church of all places, but I needed real relationships and wanted to rediscover the values I once had. After several months and several different churches, I found one to call home.
I was very intentional in letting people know my position: “I’m not a Christian, I just want to learn about it.” I was also investigating Christ too, reading different books, trying to figure it out. The church responded to me, and on June 24, 2007 I was baptized. Life was good. I was learning so much and really growing. Then I hit a wall, and my church didn’t respond.
Enter the Timothy Network. I had been praying for and pursuing a discipleship opportunity through the church. I wanted to dig deeper, and my Sunday morning group just wasn’t cutting it. I truly feel like the opportunity to become involved with Timothy Network answered my prayers. God answered from a place I never expected, and my faith grew exponentially! Since starting to meet with my equipping cell, I’ve learned so much and my desire to learn more keeps growing. Our group brings in so many different ideas and experiences; it’s amazing! I’m learning what God’s intentions for us are. The best part is I’ve started sharing what I’ve learned with other people. I’m discipling others and finding ways to grow God’s kingdom.
– Chris Brown
Chris,
I appreciate your honesty and courage to share your story with others!!! I am a former Marine myself. It is amazing how many bad habits one picks up in the military. Don’t get me wrong, I would not trade my time in the Corp for anything. However, I wish that I was as a strong of a christian back then as I am now. Maybe I could have made a difference in Marines lives. Oh well, we are not supposed to dwell on the past. We are to only try to learn from our mistakes and grow as a child of God. I still have alot of growing to do. Semper Fi my brother!!!