services. I am thankful for those who took interest in me in bringing me to
the Savior and in helping me grow as a Christian. Currently, I am entering
my third year of Bible college. It is my desire to one day start a church in
Newfoundland. My name is Mark Squibb from Cornerstone Baptist Church.
I was first introduced to the people that call themselves Baptists in the
summer of 2004. I had been to seven different denominational youth
activities before, more as a result of social and parental pressure rather
than a desire to understand God and His Word. There, I saw only good
people who wore religious nametags.
By the age of fourteen, I, like many others in my unchurched,
modernistic generation, had come to the conclusion that God was simply a
crutch for the intellectually and emotionally lame. I soon regarded myself
as an atheist who was not simply indifferent to the idea of God but was
violently opposed to God in our modern society. However, in the summer
of 2004, my friend William invited me to a youth outreach week at the
local Baptist church. I enjoyed the games and endured the preaching. I
continued to attend their youth activities throughout the summer and
began faithfully attending the AWANA program during the fall, though
I refused to attend a Sunday service. Even after attending for several
months, I was still not convinced of the existence of any deity and was still
far from accepting the plan of salvation that was so clearly explained.
One night at AWANA, after the excitement of the games and the
quietness of the preaching, Mr. Martin called me into the office and asked
me if I was beginning to understand the dreadfulness of my sin and
my need of a Savior. I simply told him that I didn't know. One Sunday
morning I awoke with a deep conviction stirring in my heart. The Holy
Spirit was working. I picked up the phone and called Miss Kelli, who so
faithfully picked up children every Sunday morning for church. I asked
her if she could drive me to church that morning. I soon became one of
the faithful youth at Cornerstone Baptist Church. However, I still was
not convinced of my sin. In the summer of 2005, I attended a Christian
camp on the island. It was there under the preaching of God's Word that
I recognized my standing before God. I was His enemy, alienated by my
wicked works. I had no hope for my future except that Jesus Christ, the
perfect Son of God, was sent by God to reconcile man to Himself and He
completely changed my life. As Paul could say to the saints at Philippi, “I
thank my God upon every remembrance of you,” I can also thank God
when I think of the people in my life who have over the years loved me,
prayed for me, and taught me the Word of the living God—people like
Miss Kelli, whose faithfulness and patience have made all the difference in
a life. I am currently entering my third year of Bible college. I can say that
is my greatest honor, that I, one who was once an enemy of God in need of
reconciliation, have been entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.
I am so thankful for each child that God has brought across my path
to hear the Gospel. I do not know what God will do with the seeds of His
Word that have been planted in their lives. Perhaps God will choose to
use one of “the few” to reach the thousands.
Number 1, 2012
BIMI WORLD
7