Rev. Jeremy Dunn

I was born into a faithful family. My father served as a full-time ministry for over forty years and is still serving in a variety of different ways. 25 of those years were spent in Chilhowie, Virginia, where I was privleged to grow up. I am who I am today, not because they forced their faith upon me, but because they lived their faith. My mother and father were, and still are, great examples in my life. I am who I am because I saw in them the difference that Jesus can make in a person(s) life. But I am not, in any way, implying that it has been [or is] an easy journey. Though I was off to a good start, there were many rough patches, and ill taken turns [of which I'm happy to share; it's just too much to type out]. But even for those, I am grateful. I am grateful, ultimately, for grace of God. He did not give up on me! And he hasn't given up on me! Though I grew up in the church, I didn't see the "church" until sometime later. At the age of thirteen years old, while attending a summer youth camp, Jesus became real to me. With trembling knees and a broken heart, I walked to the altar, confessed my sins, and asked Jesus to save me. But after that camp experience, I had never felt more alone. And in that lonliness, desperate to fit in somewhere, I caved to the culture. For the next three years I lived in spiritual agony, trying to convince myself that I was actually saved, but living like I wasn't. It was killing me and I didn't even know it. You see, I had convinced myself that I was saved simply because I made a profession, that I attended church and was doing all the "church" stuff right. The summer of 2001 changed everything. I attended a youth convention in Denver Colorado with my youth group. The speaker spoke from Matthew 7. Jesus says, "Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven." I was hooked right there! Jesus says, "Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day may will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name!" In other words, we did all the right things! "But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's law." (Matthew :21-23) It was like a bomb to my heart. I realized at that moment, Jesus was talking about me. And if felt like Jesus was speaking directly to me! So, with trembling knees and a broken heart, I made my way to the altar (this time with thousands of other students), confessed my sins and accepted Jesus as MY personal Lord and Savior. And on that day I committed to walk the path that I had previously been running from. And my friend, my life has never been the same since that day. Ever since that day I have been on a journey - a journey of faith - one that is ripe with spiritual highs and spiritual lows; one that is ripe with success and ripe with failures; one that is ripe with happiness and ripe with grief and heartache. But through all the highs and lows, the bending and the breaking, God has shown Himself to be strong. God has proven Himself time and time again that though life changes so much, He remains the same, and because of Him I have stability. He is the solid rock! He is the sure footpath! He is my light, my path, my salvation, My God and my King! God is good. God is so good to me. God is ever faithful! And I am blessed! God has blessed me with a wonderful, amazing wife, an incredible son, and a wonderful family! God has richly blessed me with a wonderful church family for whom I am grateful for! It is indeed true what the song writer wrote, "I'm so glad to be a part of the family of God!"